2020 Chateau d'Issan - 3eme Cru Margaux

Bettanedessauve.com - 94-95pts: *L’apport de nouvelles vignes, juste à l’extérieur du mur du clos se manifeste par un corps plus généreux qu’en 2019 un caractère plus décidé, mais jouant toujours sur une finesse florale d’une parfaite typicité margalaise Bravo.* - 06/2021

Decanter.com – 96 pts – GH: *Wonderfully intense on the nose, so ripe and concentrated with some toasted oak aromas. Supple and vibrant on the palate, the fruit is clean and crisp with tannins that are fine but firm, just giving the expression some tension and linearity. Cinnamon and clove edge the bright blackcurrant and black cherry fruit with lovely acidity. This is plush, and firm at the same time, clean and clear, fragrant and ripe. Lots going on here with bitter dark chocolate too. It’s all happening. Needs time to relax but this is wonderfully nuanced and really quite captivating. Grippy and refreshing, leaves a lingering impression.* - 01/2023

Falstaff Magazin – 94 pts – PM: *Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, tiefer Kern, zarte Randaufhellung. Ein Hauch von Nugatkaramell, florale Nuancen, zart nach Lakritze und Veilchen, einladendes Bukett. Saftig, gute Süße, schokoladige Textur, reife, tragende Tannine, die auch den Abgang prägen, kraftvoller Stil, ein würziger Speisenbegleiter, hat Substanz und Potenzial. (2030–2055).* - 02/2023

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - (93-95) pts: *The 2020 D'Issan is a blend of 55 Cabernet Sauvignon, 39 Merlot, 2 Petit Verdot, 3 Cabernet Franc and 1 Malbec, aging in French oak barriques, 50 new It has an alcohol of 13 29 a pH of 3 71 and an IPT (tannin index) of 73 Displaying an opaque purple black color, it has vibrant notes of Bing cherries, boysenberries, ripe redcurrants and juicy black plums, plus hints of pencil shavings, wild thyme, lavender and forest floor The medium bodied palate has impressive energy with crunchy red and black fruits and compelling tension, framed by fine grained tannins, finishing long and mineral laced.* - 06/2021

Vinum Magazin – 18/20pts: *Ein charaktervoller Issan von ganz besonderer Klasse, verschlossener vielleicht als andere Weine, “klassischer”, mit Rasse und ausgeprägter Persönlichkeit; muss unbedingt reifen.*

WeinWisser – 17/20pts - WL: *55 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 39 % Merlot, 3 % Cabernet Franc, 2 % Petit Verdot, 1 % Malbec, 38 hl/ha. Dichtes Purpur mit opaker Mitte und lila Rand. Komplexes Waldbeerbouquet mit Lakritze und zarten Fliedernoten, dahinter Holundergelee und schwarze Johannisbeerdrops. Am satten Gaumen mit weicher Textur, fein sandiges Extrakt, stützende Rasse und engmaschiges Tanningerüst. Im gebündelten Finale schwarzbeerige Konturen, dunkles Graphit und zarte kernige Noten im Untergrund, endet mit mürber Adstringenz.* – 04/2021

JancisRobinson.com - 17+/20pts - JL: *55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec. Dark fruit with a savoury edge on the nose. Altogether quite vinous and complex. Medium-bodied but lively and persistent with layered fruit and tight but refined tannins. Lovely flow and drive. Seems likely to develop further in the bottle.* - 11/2022

JamesSuckling.com - 97-98 pts - JS: *Extremely floral and fruity with currants and blackberries It’s full bodied and very layered with delicious, dense character Full bodied with dusty, layered tannins Rich, but not heavy Long and chewy on the finish 55 cabernet sauvignon, 39 merlot, 3 cabernet franc, 2 petit verdot and 1 malbec.* - 06/2021

Vinous.com - (93-95) pts - AG: *The 2020 d'Issan is the first vintage that incorporates Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec to complement the traditional Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the blend Pretty floral and savory accents complement a core of ripe red/purplish berry fruit Medium in body and vibrant, with superb persistence, Issan is shaping up to be a jewel of a wine The purity of the flavors is striking Harvest took place over three weeks between September 17 through October 2 which is only about a week earlier than normal, so not that displaced relative to what was the norm in much of Bordeaux Tasted three times.* - 06/2021

Vinous.com - (93-95) pts - NM: *The 2020 Château d’Issan picked from September 17 to October 2 and blended in early January, then matured in 50 new oak, has a beautiful and very pure bouquet of blackberry, blueberry and light cranberry notes intertwined with crushed stone and subtle potpourri and violet scents, all wonderfully focused and exquisitely defined The palate is medium bodied with gentle but insistent grip on the entry The tannins are very chiseled and the acidity lends plenty of tension that is palpable from start to finish This is a sophisticated Margaux in the making, full of breeding and class.* - 05/2021

Thewinecellarinsider.com – 95 pts – JL: *The first vintage to include 5 Bordeaux varietals in the blend starts out with violets, forest floor, spice, plums, currants, cherries, mint, and a hint of pepper on the nose. Vibrant red fruits, silky tannins, sweetness, and purity in the fruits are easy to discern on the palate. The elegant finish lingers, which is a good thing, as you are going to finish the bottle far too quickly. Tasting 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, and now 2020 over the years is going to be a lot of fun. But I warn you, it will be difficult to pick a favorite. Though, today, there is a good possibility that the 2020, due to the inclusion of the new grape sources is going to be at the head of the class. Drink from 2025-2055.* - 03/2023