2023 Chateau d'Issan - 3eme Cru Margaux

Decanter.com – 95 pts – GH: *Lovely fragrance, dried rose petals and raspberry fruit. Really scented and aromatic - quite inviting. Rich and juicy, a lovely weight with some chew to the expression. I like the charm on show - it’s got that fruit forwardness with licks of minty wet stone as well as fine tannins and mouthwatering acidity. Overall feels quite serious with more power on show than some, a tamed beast right now and you can feel the Petit Verdot in the blend. Round and forward, but still super finessed. This should evolve nicely. 50% grand vin production. 3.66pH. 2.5% Petit Verdot completes the blend. Ageing 50% new oak.* - 04/2024

Falstaff Magazin – 94 pts - PM: *Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Nuancen von schwarzen Kirschen, Brombeeren und Cassis, kandierte Veilchen, frische Orangenschalen. Komplex, feine Extraktsüße, reife Tannine, gute Frische, belibt haften, zart nach hellem Karamell im Abgang, sicheres Reifepotenzial.* - 05/2024

Vinum Magazin – 95/100 pts: *Ein wunderbares Margaux-Parfüm mit Veilchen und Schwarzer Johannisbeere sowie mineralischen Unterklängen; seidenweich am Gaumen, ungemein knackig, zeigt viel Spannung, eine delikate Frucht, ausgesprochen feines Tannin und ein langanhaltendes Finale das von subtilen Röstnoten und dunklen und roten Früchten geprägt ist. Ein hervorragender d'Issan, bei dem das Spucken schon jetzt schwerfällt.*

WeinWisser – 18/20 pts – GL, TW: *Delikates rotbeeriges Bouquet, Heidekraut, frischer Johannisbeernektar und Fliedernote. Am kompakten Gaumen mit engmaschigem Tanninkorsett, nerviger Rasse, guter Dichte und trainiertem Körper. Im konzentrierten langen Finale rotbeerige Konturen, Graphit und feinmehlige Adstringenz, Potenzialwertung.* – 04/2024

JancisRobinson.com – 16+/20pts – JL: *70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 2.5% Cabernet Franc, 2.5% Petit Verdot. 30 hl/ha. Cask sample. Pleasing Cabernet-dominated aromas. Palate firm, fresh and structured but a bit recalcitrant today. Touch austere – needs to settle.* - 04/2024

Vinous.com – (93-95) pts – AG: *The 2023 d’Issan is a powerful, dense wine, especially for a property where the wines tend to be more understated. A rich, muscular Margaux, the 2023 d'Issan exudes intensity in all of its dimensions. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2023 is going to need a number of years to shed some of its considerable baby fat. Dried herbs, tobacco, incense and bold, dark-toned fruit flow into the deep, resonant finish.* - 04/2024

Vinous.com – (91-93) pts – NM: *The 2023 d’Issan was picked from September 18 to October 2. It was cropped at 30hL/ha, lower than usual due to mildew pressure and less rain in August, causing hydric stress during the summer heat wave, especially in the Merlot vines. It was harvested a little later than the other cuvées to benefit from the Indian summer, September 20, and matured in 50% new oak. It has a very pure bouquet with black cherries, cassis and blueberry fruit, though I feel that other recent vintages have shown a touch more complexity. The palate is well balanced and cohesive with fine and quite edgy tannins. There is an impressive symmetry to this d'Issan with a very poised and quite persistent finish. It improves with aeration and all the time, the aromatics seem to muster more energy (hence, I raised my score). One to watch.* - 04/2024

Thewinecellarinsider.com – (94-96) pts – JL: *Silky, elegance is the hallmark of this wine. It takes only one sip to know this is special. Concentrated, lush, refined, and rich, there is tension paired with layers of sweet, ripe, opulent fruits that linger. The purity in the mid-palate extends through to the rich, plush finish. The wine is made from a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 2.5% Cabernet Franc, and 2.5% Petit Verdot. 13.83% ABV, 3.66 pH. Picking took place September 18 - October 2, making this one of the longest, and latest harvests in the history of the estate. Drink from 2029-2055.* - 05/2024