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Issan 2010

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Margaux
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon/Merlot

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Label

Tasting Notes

A complete, medium to full-bodied, exquisite Margaux from this medieval, moat-encircled, compellingly beautiful estate in the southern Medoc, D'Issan's 2010 is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. The deep, gravelly soils mixed with clay have provided extraordinary aromatics. The yields were ridiculously low (22 hectoliters per hectare) and the wine tips the scaled at 13.7% natural alcohol. Production was small after the selection for the grand vin, and the result is a dense, purple-colored wine with beautiful aromatics of spring flowers, blueberries and black raspberries as well as hints of cassis, tar and charcoal. The wine is gorgeously pure, well-balanced, and soft enough to be approached in 4-5 years or cellared for 25-30.

95
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, March 2013

Tasted at an impromptu visit to the chateau, the d'Issan 2010 (a blend of 39% Merlot and 61% Cabernet Sauvignon representing 53% of the crop, raised in 55% new oak for 12 months) has an intense bouquet of blackcurrant, a hint of crème de cassis and blueberry. This really captures the essence of Margaux: floral and feminine. The palate is soft and caressing on the entry with light but tensile tannins encasing the mineral-rich black fruit. It is very well balanced, nicely focused with a lingering hint of black pepper on the finish. Harmonious and long, this is a superlative d'Issan from Emmanuel Cruse and his team. Tasted November 2012.

94
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, February 2013

Deep garnet in color, the 2010 D'Issan opens with baked blackberries, blackcurrant jelly and stewed plums scents with hints of bouquet garni and charcoal. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is bright and refreshing with just enough chewy, textured black fruits and an earthy finish. Drink 2020-2038.

93
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (March 2020), March 2020

Gorgeous ripe fruit in this with plum, black cherries and spices on the nose and palate. Full body, with soft tannins and a long, long finish. Very refined and focused. Best from here in decades. Try after 2018.

94
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2013

'Final blend since Jan 2011.' 35% new oak. Very dense and zesty on the nose. Lots of Cabernet influence and massively suave and good, though perhaps a little tiny bit of vegetation and sinew in here. Very polished and gorgeous. Very long. Extremely charming.

16.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2011

Black fruits give some weight on the nose refreshed by red fruited acidity. The palate has power a good weight of fruit at the start with cassis and bramble backed by some fresher red cherry. The sweetness of the fruit and rounded tannins ensure richness at the back.

88/92
Derek Smedley MW, April 2011

Fine fragrant nose, perfect extraction, already beautifully textured, great future, probably the best d'Issan yet. Drink 2016-35.

18
Steven Spurrier, Decanter.com, April 2011
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.