Issan 2012

The 2012 Château d’Issan, builds on the richness of the second wine and adds more body, structure and density. It has an inky purple color and a stunning nose of spring flowers, blueberry and blackberry fruit as well as touches of incense and graphite. Medium to full-bodied and stunningly concentrated, this 2012 is a great success in the vintage, one of the superstars. Moreover, its precociousness suggests it could be drunk in the next 4-5 years or cellared through 2025. I underrated this wine dramatically in my report of April, 2013 (Issue 206).

A touch of herbaceousness and abundant underbrush characteristics kept my score from going higher. Nevertheless, the wine offers an attractive fragrance of herbs, blue and red fruits and loamy soil undertones. Medium-bodied with an angular mouthfeel, it should drink well for a decade or more.

An elegant, restrained style of Margaux made from yields of 37 hectoliters per hectare, the 2012 d'Issan is composed of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot. Fifty-three percent of the production made it into the grand vin, which achieved 13.2% natural alcohol.

The 2012 d'Issan has a very perfumed and expressive bouquet with ebullient blackberry, iodine and cedar scents, very focused and classy with seamlessly integrated new oak. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, perfect acidity, compact at the moment but brimming over with mineralité and tension. This seems to have blossomed in bottle after a patchy showing in barrel and now it comes highly recommended. Tasted at the d’Issan vertical held at the property. 2020 - 2045

Complex aromas of black cherries with hints of cedar and spices. This is a full-bodied red combining firm tannins, good acidity and a clean finish. A fascinating iron undertone. Drink in 2018.

The 2012 d'Issan is dark and beautifully layered in the glass. Plum, crème de cassis, leather, herbs and cloves open up in in a silky, polished wine that impresses with its balance and overall poise. The d'Issan is a bit dark for Margaux, but that is a detail; the 2012 is a gorgeous wine in every way. The blend is 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot. This is terrific showing from d'Issan and winemaker Eric Boissenot. Drink 2015 - 2024.

This Margaux property is planted with 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot and the wine is aged in 50% new oak.