d'Issan 2025 (1.5L)

94-96 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com: "Cassis, black cherries, smoky tobacco, graphite, and a chalky minerality all shine from the 2025 Château D'Issan, a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot that's being raised in 50% new barriques with the balance in once-used barrels. Reminding me slightly of the 2016 with its balance and elegance, it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a pure, graceful mouthfeel, fine tannins, and outstanding length. It builds beautifully with time in the glass, and checking in at 13.73% alcohol with a pH of 3.63, this is going to be an incredibly satisfying, classic, complex Margaux that exudes class and elegance." 05/26

94-96 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "The 2025 d'Issan is fabulous. Inky and racy to the core, the 2025 Issan has so much to offer. Crème de cassis, menthol, licorice, cloves, gravel and mocha all meld together in the glass. Sumptuous and seamless with exceptional balance, the 2025 is a real stunner. This is an especially dense d'Issan that reflects the intensity of the year. Tasted two times." 04/26

95 Points, Georgina Hindle, Decanter: "Violets and iris notes on the nose. Supple and succulent with a drop of sweet strawberries balanced against quite fresh blackcurrants, liquorice and cola. I love the texture – streamlined, focused, detailed, so smooth and sophisticated. Maybe a more dark profile than recent vintages but feels so well constructed with a firm frame and cool drive from start to finish. It has layers, this isn’t lacking in any power or muscle but it doesn’t have any heaviness or chew and in that respect it gives a lot of wine without much weight at all. Grippy, fun, interesting, captivating and so easy to drink. Potential upscore in bottle. 2% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc complete the blend. 3.63pH. A yield of 29hl/ha." 03/26

96-97 Points, James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com: "A tight and juicy red with blackberry, cherry, plum and spice aromas and flavors. It’s medium-bodied with a creamy texture and a crunchy finish. Refined for the vintage, with plenty of character and length." 04/26

93-95 Points, Neal Martin, Vinous: "The 2025 Château d'Issan was picked from September 11 to 18 and is matured in 50% new oak. This has a quite beguiling bouquet, very pure blackberry and wild strawberry fruit, hints of cassis, replete with Margaux's violet signature. The oak is neatly integrated (50%). The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, plenty of tension and commendable minéralité. There is a transparency to this d'Issan that I really admire and it embodies the classicism that the season offered on the finish. One of the finest vintages in recent years and, hopefully, it will represent good value upon release." 05/26

90-92 Points, Yohan Castaing, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Marked by a spicy, oaky profile, the 2025 D'Issan reveals aromas of lead pencil, tobacco and dark berries. Medium- to full-bodied, structured and dense, it’s built around an assertive tannic frame and concludes with a long, spicy finish. Quite introverted at this stage, it will need to gain in elegance and harmony with élevage." 04/26

95 Points, Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux: "Vivid plum colours, as is so often the case in this vintage, and although this is a little less luscious right now than the Blason, it is packed with promise, and the austerity of a wine that is constructed with a future in mind. Rose buds, cassis, damson are fairly discreet at first, and then unroll in layers with slate, woodsmoke and cold ash. 3.63pH. Harvest September 11 to 23. 50% new oak." 04/26