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JAMES SUCKLING: "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."
93
DECANTER: "Dark and deep on the nose, seductive, that beautiful Margaux glamour and elegance - it's completely captivating with hints of violet and rose too after a few minutes. So succulent and juicy on the palate, the tannins are silky, barely present in terms of overt texture but they do give support so you get a great mouthfeel here. The definition is excellent, a real precision of fruit with richness and energy, these beautiful redcurrant, raspberry, blackcurrant and black cherry flavours. It's bright and almost lightly framed, gliding across the palate giving bright fruit with some soft perfume. It grows on the palate, at first being quite light and pleasant then deeping and becoming more refined with different elements coming on show. Well extracted with the aromatics taking centre stage instead of overt power or tannic interference. A joy to drink! 2% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot complete the blend."
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THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Deep ruby in color, the wine kicks off with assorted red pit fruits, lilacs, cedar, and forest leaves. Medium-bodied, elegant, soft, and vibrant, the fruit is focused on its freshness, balance, and elegance, leaving you with the essence of purity in the red cherries and plums that linger in the finish. Produced from a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec. This is the second vintage to include 5 Bordeaux varietals in the blend. 13.18% ABV, pH 3.6. Picking took place September 27 – October 9. Drink from 2024-2047."
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JEB DUNNUCK: "The deep purple-hued 2021 Château d'Issan is another terrific Margaux, which is an appellation that did well in the vintage. Black raspberries, cassis, spring flowers, and some herbal notes all emerge on the nose, and it's medium-bodied, with a charming, mid-weight style on the palate, good balance, and ripe tannins. It's going to drink nicely right out of the gate. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 2% each of Cabernet Franc and Malbec, and the rest Petit Verdot."
92
FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Zarte Nuancen von Cassis und Herzkirschen, einladende Frucht, ein Hauch von Mandarinenzesten. Komplex, saftig, rotbeerige Textur, feine, reife Tannine, mineralisch und frisch, lebendiger Speisenbegleiter, gutes Entwicklungspotenzial."
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93
THE WINE ADVOCATE: "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."
17
WEINWISSER: "Feingliedrig rotbeeriges Bouquet, erkalteter Waldfrüchtetee, frischer Johannisbeersaft, Flieder und zarte Graphitnoten. Am straffen Gaumen mit spröder Textur, sandigem Extrakt, stützender Mineralik, engmaschigem Tanningerüst und muskulösem Körper. Im konzentrierten Finale verschlankt sich der Margaux, zerdrückte kleine schwarze Beeren und mürbe Adstringenz."
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92
LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "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."
