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B-21 Top Recommendation Read More
Reflecting the estate’s legacy of consistency and unanimous critical acclaim over the last two decades, the sleek and polished 96 pt. 2015 Chateau D’Issan Margaux is a shining star from an outstanding vintage called “a new benchmark for Bordeaux” by James Suckling, a lush Left Bank blend offering deep, dark fresh fruit with hints of earthy spice and crushed gravel on a silky, long-lived finish, summed up as “a total knockout” by Vinous critic Antonio Galloni that’s immensely pleasurable now and worthy of making room in the cellar at a stellar value price.
Reached by crossing the same drawbridge travelled by Thomas Jefferson over centuries’ old moats, a visitor’s first glimpse of Chateau d’Issan is as impressive as its Grand Vin, a magnificent, castle-like edifice flanked by Gothic towers and surrounded by manicured grounds adjacent to Chateau Margaux. Refurbished and revitalized by the Cruse family since purchasing the estate over a half century ago, D’Issan’s vineyards span 52 hectares in the Margaux AOC, of which 34 hectares are planted in the deep gravel and alluvial soils of its historic “Clos” vineyard surrounded by a stone wall and dating back to 1644. Managed by third generation Emmanuel Issan since the 1990’s, the estate’s 2015 Grand Vin was produced under the direction of renowned consulting winemaker Eric Boissenot, whose other clients include a “who’s who” of First Growths including Latour, Lafite and neighboring Chateau Margaux. A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot aged in 50% new French oak for 18 months, the elegant and harmonious 2015 Chateau D’Issan is a “super ripe, decidedly hedonistic Margaux” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous that “exudes richness in all of its dimensions,” just entering its long-lived window of enjoyment with the structure to evolve for another few decades.
Calling 2015 “an undeniably terrific vintage for Bordeaux,” Jeb Dunnuck describes the impressive 96 pt. 2015 Chateau D’Issan as a “powerhouse,” effortlessly balancing Margaux’s signature freshness and elegance with opulent concentration, delivered in perfect provenance and well priced for Bordeaux fans and collectors to enjoy without hesitation for years to come. |
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Very complex aromas of currants, blackberries and iodine with hints of dried mushrooms and flowers. Full-bodied, very fine and silky with a very, very long finish. Shows tension and finesse. Structured yet shows an ultra-fine texture. Deep, dense center palate, yet it's all so polished. A wine for the future. Drink in 2022.
96 points, James Suckling (Jun 2021)
A powerhouse offering from proprietor Emmanuel Cruse (with consulting advice from Eric Boissenot) is the 2015 Château d'Issan which in 2015 is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot brought up in just over 50% new barrels. Offering a spectacular bouquet of blackcurrants, lead pencil, chocolate and espresso, this full-bodied, incredibly sexy Margaux boast sweet, sweet tannin, lots of oak, a stacked mid-palate and a huge finish. It’s a tour de force that’s going to benefit from 5-6 years of cellaring and keep for three decades. As I’ve stated numerous times in this report, Margaux was the place to be in 2015 and I suspect numerous estates have made their best wines to date.
95 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Nov 2017)
The 2015 Château d’Issan has an intense bouquet, even more than the 2010 when juxtaposed side-by-side, with multilayered black fruit, bilberry and light marine scents and hints of wild heather that I did not notice three years ago. The palate is beautifully balanced with very supple, lithe tannins. There is more red fruit compared to the 2010, with a little more sapidity. In fact, I suspect on this showing that the d’Issan may ultimately edge ahead. This is very elegant and harmonious with an almost pixelated finish.
94 points, Neal Martin, Vinous (Mar 2021)