Farr Vintners Logo

Issan 2021

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

This 55 hectare Margaux property is planted a majority Cabernet Sauvignon, with a good proportion of Merlot. Newly purchased plots containing old vines of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot have been added to the blend from 2020. The Cruse family brought in new investment in 2013 from M Lorenzetti who has also purchased Pedesclaux in Pauillac. Recent vintages have performed very well in blind tastings at Southwold.

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

Label

Tasting Notes

The 2021 D'Issan offers up attractive aromas of wild berries, violets, fresh mint and pencil shavings, followed by a medium to full-bodied, polished and seamless palate that's layered and suave, with a pretty core of fruit framed by sweet, powdery tannins. This elegant, sensual wine will offer a broad drinking window. Drink Date: 2025 - 2045

92
William Kelley, Wine Advocate, February 2024

According to Emmanuel Cruse, the 2021 d'Issan is the second vintage to utilize all five permitted grape varieties, picked from September 27 to October 9 and matured in 50% new oak. Quite intense on the nose, it offers layers of raspberry, wild strawberry, iodine and incense aromas. The palate is structured on the entry with a judicious touch of white pepper and clove, building nicely without fully letting go. Linear and detailed on the finish, this is a fine Margaux that should give 20 years of drinking pleasure.

90/92
Neal Martin, vinous.com, May 2022

Deep ruby colour. Red and black fruit both come through on the nose, which is floral and fine. The palate is more chunky and rich thanks to grippy, fully extracted tannins. The block of structure slightly hides the fruit at this stage, with toasted spices coming through from the wood. Clear cassis tones start to show more on the finish, but it will need time to settle and for the flesh to hopefully find balance with the structure.

89/92
Thomas Parker MW, Farr Vintners, April 2022

A very fine yet structured d’Issan with blackcurrant and plum, as well as spice and walnuts. The palate is full and structured with wonderful tannins and length. It really grows on the palate. Serious balance of ripe and fine tannins with pretty fruit and a citrusy undertone. This could move up a notch. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 2% cabernet franc, 2% malbec and 1% petit verdot.

95/96
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, May 2022

The 2021 d'Issan is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot, aging in 50% new oak. Deep garnet-purple in color, it rolls effortlessly out of the glass with notes of ripe blackcurrants, violets, boysenberries, and tilled soil, plus hints of cardamom, dried mint, tobacco, and iron ore. Light to medium-bodied, the palate has a firm structure of ripe, grainy tannins and great tension framing the tightly wound black fruits, finishing long and minerally.
2026-2034

90/92
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent, May 2022

Rich aromatics, fresh acidities, careful extraction showcasing black tea and saffron spice notes, balanced and elegant, building in momentum through the palate. Skilful winemaking with plenty of grip. Has austerity through the mid palate, but no dip, and the tannins elongate towards the finish, giving salinity and a moutwatering kick. You can clearly imagine this ageing well, in the slightly sombre but classic style of 2002 or 2006. 50% new oak. Second year with all five of the major black grape varieties of the Médoc, and the Malbec and Petit Verdot make their presence felt.

94
Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com, April 2022

65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot. Cask sample.
Discreet but fresh with a faint floral nuance. Medium-bodied with a certain density of tannin but delicate and poised. Margaux elegance if slightly reserved. (JL) 12.8%
Drink 2028 – 2040

16.5
James Lawther MW, JancisRobinson.com, May 2022
Read more tasting notes...

The 2021 D'Issan is performing well, exhibiting aromas of rich berries, licorice, violets, sweet soil tones and pipe tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, layered and lively, with powdery tannins and a saline finish, it will flesh out with élevage to deliver a supple, perfumed D'Issan that will offer a broad drinking window. It's a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot.

90/93
William Kelley, Wine Advocate (260), April 2022
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.