1985 Château d'Issan
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Tasting notes
Rosebud, earth and truffle character, tertiary character to the softened redcurrant and raspberry fruits. Light in structure with fine tannins but also juicy and saline with soy, oyster shell. There will inevitably be bottle variation (not least because the corks were not all the same size and shape at the time), and this has considerable sedmiment. It's ready to drink unquestionably, but I know these wines can surprise with their ageabilty, and this bottle showed itself to be a brilliant match for food. This was a vintage where the Margaux appellation was seen to do better than the nortern Médoc (much as it had done in 1983 compared to 1982), and if you get lucky as I have done here, this is a beautiful bottle of wine. Harvest September 25 to October 12, all grapes from the Clos.
Critic scores
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Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 1985 d'Issan has a slightly deeper appearance compared to the 1983 and the bouquet has lasted far better: gravel-tinged red berry fruit, sage, dried blood and hints of cured meat. I would not describe it as "animally" though, it is galloping in that direction, possibly indicating some presence of brettanomyces. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, touches of leather and cooked meat infusing the red berry fruit. It is fleshier than the 1983 with more cohesion and length on the finish. This 1985 continues to give pleasure as long as it does not dry out too much on the savoury finish. Tasted at the d’Issan vertical held at the property.
Impériale. Soft, fully evolved, hint of herbal. Polished, fine silky. Very, very round. (JR)
Along with the 1983, the 1985 is the finest d'Issan produced during the eighties. The wine exhibits a more saturated color than the 1986, although some lightening is noticeable at the edge. The nose is all berry fruit, flowers, and sweet earth. This delicately-styled, medium-bodied, fruity, soft, measured wine will not appeal to those preferring a fuller-flavored Bordeaux, but it is purely made, stylish, and reveals riper fruit than most d'Issan vintages. Anticipated maturity: Now-2003. Last tasted 3/95