The 2012 Château d’Issan, builds on the richness of the second wine and adds more body, structure and density. It has an inky purple color and a stunning nose of spring flowers, blueberry and blackberry fruit as well as touches of incense and graphite. Medium to full-bodied and stunningly concentrated, this 2012 is a great success in the vintage, one of the superstars. Moreover, its precociousness suggests it could be drunk in the next 4-5 years or cellared through 2025. I underrated this wine dramatically in my report of April, 2013 (Issue 206).

This is an excellent red now with sweet tobacco, truffles and berries. Full body, vevlety tannins and a savory finish. This shows the Issan character of decadence and richness.

The 2012 d'Issan is dark and beautifully layered in the glass. Plum, crème de cassis, leather, herbs and cloves open up in in a silky, polished wine that impresses with its balance and overall poise. The d'Issan is a bit dark for Margaux, but that is a detail; the 2012 is a gorgeous wine in every way. The blend is 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot. This is terrific showing from d'Issan and winemaker Eric Boissenot.

[61CS/39M] (36hl/ha, 13.2%, 50% New) Ripe fruit and clear minerality to smell; lovely balance, a rich, elegant middleweight claret, with a fresh acidity and notably fine textured tannin; so fragrant, sweet and fresh to taste with great subtlety and wonderful length, a very complete wine which, in addition to its abundance of fruit this has all the class, finesse and perfume which exemplify fine Margaux. This will make a gorgeous glass of claret. Drink 2019-30+.
-M.Schuster, Bordeaux Mar/Apr 2013

A subtle style, with singed cedar and espresso hints guiding the lightly mulled plum and blackberry fruit. A warm paving stone note emerges on the finish. —J.M.

Cropped between 1st and 17th October, the d’Issan is a blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot cropped at 37hl/ha. It has a tight, quite reticent bouquet – quite stern but focused. This is almost Pauillac in style with a faint tang of seaweed. The palate is medium-bodied with a structured entry. There is a rigid backbone here, again, lending it a Pauillac-like structure with a slight saltiness towards the finish. It needs to offer a little more flesh by the time of bottling. Tasted April 2013.

67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot. 50% new oak. Much deeper crimson than Blason. Again, slightly strange (oak?) note on the nose. Deep and concentrated, very Cabernet. Gentle and appetising. Good oak management. Long and good savour. Drink 2021-2034.