D'Issan 2021 (750ML)

96 JS / 94 JA / 94 DE / 93 WI / 93 WCI / 92 JD / 92 WA / 16.5 JR

With aromas of red currants, ripe cherries, flowers and hints of nutmeg and salt, this medium-bodied red has a solid core of fruit with medium and ripe tannins that nicely frame the wine and give depth and energy. Lightly chewy and caressing at the end. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 2% cabernet franc, 2% malbec and 1% petit verdot. Better to drink in two or three years, but best after 2027. - James Suckling

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. - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

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, 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 deepening 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. 3.60pH. Slightly more Cabernet in the blend this year. 45% grand vin, 55% second wine. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter

The 2021 d’Issan is deep garnet-purple in color. It leaps from the glass with notes of kirsch, redcurrant jelly, and cassis, giving way to wafts of roses and fertile soil. Medium-bodied, the palate is plush, refreshing, and juicy, with a lovely fragrant earth note on the finish. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent

Medium-bodied, elegant, refined and already focused on displaying its floral character, accompanied by its core of black raspberries, cherries, tobacco, cedar and spice. Forward, soft and vibrant, the wine serves up its sweet, energetic red berries with accents of spice, mint and just a touch of espresso on the backend. Produced from a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec. This is only the second vintage to include 5 Bordeaux varietals in the blend. Drink from 2024-2047.-Jeff Leve, Wine Cellar Insider

Redcurrants, red plums, smoked tobacco, and hints of iron, as well as some floral notes, all emerge from the 2021 Château D'Issan, a medium-bodied, pure, focused, elegant Margaux that shines in the vintage due to its balance and seamlessness. It's already up-front and accessible today yet should have 15 years or more of prime drinking. The blend of the 2021 is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot, raised in 50% new oak. - Jeb Dunnuck

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. - William Kelley, Wine Advocate