Chateau d'Issan 2016
(Margaux, Bordeaux, France) - [DM 97] [JS 96] [TWI 96] [WA 94+] [JD 94+] [VM 94]

Chateau d`Issan is a Third Growth Margaux property that produces about 100,000 bottles each year. Its richly aromatic and silky-textured Clarets are often amongst the best of the appellation. The estate’s history dates back to the 1152 when the wine was officially served at the wedding of Eleanor of Aquitaine to King Henry II.

Chateau d’Issan is in the heart of the Margaux appellation, a truly privileged location, which explains the outstanding quality of its wines. The mild weather, regulated by being close to the sea and the Gironde Estuary, provides ideal conditions for vine growth. The vines at Chateau d’Issan benefit from close, on-going care designed to produce perfectly ripe grapes. Everything is organized so that each individual plot can be tended independently in order to get the very best out of its fruit.

This wine is made from the old vines in the Château d’Issan enclosure in the middle of the Margaux appellation. The soil here is mainly made up of surface gravel on top of a clay subsoil, which contributes to optimal ripeness and freshness in their two grape varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon (about 62%) and Merlot (38%). 

Ratings & Reviews

97 Points - Decanter Magazine:
Tight and closed but clearly going to power out of the gate in five or six years. Shows depth and persistency, with precision and balance to the fruit flavours, feels like every base is covered, laced through with liquorice, cinnamon and black chocolate, and although there is power it has a light touch. A delicious wine, long life ahead, note it down for the future. (Drink between 2026-2045)94-96 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:

"The 2018 D'Issan is composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, aging in 50% new and 50% second year barrels for an estimated 18 months. With 13.97% alcohol and a deep garnet-purple color, it features baked berries, warm cherries and cassis with spice box and fragrant earth plus tea hints. Medium to full-bodied, it has a great core of muscular fruit with firm, fine-grained tannins, with nice freshness, finishing layered with mineral notions." -LPB (4/23/19)

96 Points - The Wine Independent:
The 2016 d'Issan is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon and 36% Merlot. Deep garnet colored with a touch of purple, it roars out with powerful scents of creme de cassis, blackberry pie, and stewed plums with hints of mocha, violets, and licorice. The medium-bodied palate delivers a solid structure of firm, grainy tannins and seamless acidity to support the taut, muscular black fruit, finishing on a lingering aniseed note. 2023-2046.

96 Points - James Suckling:
The brightness and precision already comes through on the nose with floral, blackcurrant character. Full-bodied and very tight and creamy with polished tannins that last for minutes. Warm and intense. Needs four to five years to show all it has, yet already a beauty.

94+ Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
I loved the 2016 Château d'Issan and this is a certainly a wine to seek out. Made from a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon and 36% Merlot from yields of 55 hectoliters per hectare, aged 18 months in 50% new oak, it has a beautiful perfume of blue fruits (cassis, blueberries, etc.) as well as hints of graphite, subtle oak, and charcoal. Medium to full-bodied, with integrated acidity, a terrific mid-palate, and perfect balance, it needs 4-5 years of bottle age and is going to cruise in good cellars for 20-25 years or more. It’s a beautiful, elegant, seamless wine that’s very much in the style of the vintage. 2023-2048.

94+ Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
The 2016 D'Issan is blended of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon and 36% Merlot, aged in 50% new and 50% one-year-old French oak for 18 months. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it has vibrant black cherries and blackcurrants notes with chocolate mint, beef drippings, black olives and cigar box. Medium-bodied with a well-sustained, intensely flavored mid-palate, it has a rock-solid, grainy frame and long savory finish. Drink 2019-2037.


94 Points - Vinous Media:
The 2016 d’Issan has a well-defined bouquet of blackberry, violets, rose petal and light undergrowth aromas, displaying fine lift and great intensity. The medium-bodied palate offers fine-grained tannins and a fine bead of acidity. Fresh and vibrant, with a very harmonious, elegant and persistent finish. Excellent. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting. (Drink between 2025-2045)