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Issan 2011

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

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château d'Issan

Label

Tasting Notes

This is great, easily one of the best of the Margaux lineup. It has concentration and that sense of 2011 savoury, almost dry fruit but it is balanced by juice and a sense of energy. Great feeling of Margaux character with touches of florality. 57% of production in the first wine.

95
Jane Anson, Decanter.com, February 2021

Its bigger sister, the 2011 d'Issan exhibits an attractive perfume of black cherries, earth and background loamy soil and oak notes. Although elegant, medium-bodied and well-made, it is less impressive than other vintages have been over the last 10-15 years. Drink it over the next decade.

88
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (212), April 2014
87
Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 2012

Good purity of Cabernet cassis fruit, some florality, good tannins for the future, very Margaux. Drink 2016-2026.

17
Steven Spurrier, Decanter.com, April 2012
Read more tasting notes...

Only 57% of the production made it into the 2011 d'Issan, which tips the scales at a lofty 13.2% natural alcohol. A blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon and 31% Merlot, it possesses a dark ruby/purple color as well as a classic Margaux perfume of sweet blueberries, black currants, spring flowers and licorice. Ripe and deep with impressive intensity, it is one of the stars of the 2011 vintage. The wine's silky tannins, fresh acids and stunning length suggest it will drink well for 15-20 years.

Kudos to proprietor Emmanuel Cruse.

91/93
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (200), April 2012

Cropped between 12th and 26th September the d'Issan '11 is a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon and 39% Merlot that was cropped at 36hl/ha. The nose is closed and minerally, tightly wound with scents of limestone and granite. The palate is medium-bodied with tensile tannin, crisp blackberry, blueberry and a touch of vanilla. It has a gentled but insistent grip, a slight saline note towards the composed finish that is focused and poised. This has good potential and continues d'Issan's good run of form. Tasted April 2012.

90/92
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2012
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.