2020 d'Issan
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2020 Ch. d’Issan has a lovely brooding nose with baked blueberry tones, sweeter coconut, milk chocolate notes and a more floral fragrance that emerges with air. It has soft, silky Margaux-esque tannins, that are also juicy and succulent with lovely detail, bringing impressive depth to the palate. The wine has lovely direction – depth rather than breadth – but impressively fans out on the finish. The fruit is beautifully ripe, more on the blue and black fruit spectrum. It finishes very supple but has a lovely energy too with good overriding freshness. A highlight from the appellation.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
James Lawther MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Deep crimson. Ripe, sweet damson and blackcurrant fruit with a nice hint of lead pencil. Juicy but firmly textured. Smooth tannins but it lacks a bit of energy on the finish. (JH)
The 2020 Château d'Issan has a gorgeous, perfumed, floral bouquet with mainly red berry fruit, rose petal and hints of violet. The palate is medium-bodied, very focused and linear, with fine tannins. It perhaps needs a little more density toward the finish. There is a little bitterness on the aftertaste, yet that just lends tension and nerve. Lovely. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
A very strong effort for this estate, the 2020 D'Issan wafts from the glass with aromas of dark berries and cassis mingled with notions of violets and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and vibrant, with good depth at the core, refined tannins and a penetrating finish, it's an elegant, perfumed Margaux that's built to age with grace.