CRITIC REVIEWS
Neal Martin
The 2008 d Issan has a fragrant bouquet with pretty blackberry, briary, cedar and crushed rose petal scents that unfolds nicely in the glass. It is not a powerful Margaux, yet it is very well defined, "correct" in style. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, quite rounded tannin. This is well balanced with plenty of freshness, crisp and taut and offers a tang of spice towards the finish. This 2008 is evolving with style and panache, drinkable now but probably offering another decade of drinking pleasure. (Tasted at the chateau and at BI Wine & Spirits annual vertical tasting.)
Neal Martin
Tasted ex-chateau and single blind in Southwold. This is superb wine from one of Margaux's oldest estates. The nose shows signs of a little over-extraction in the winery with very faint date aromas infusing the black, tarry fruit. This comes through on the palate that is opulent and showy, although there is decent acidity to cut through the thick swathes of toasty black fruit. Solid and almost impenetrable on the finish. Superb. This is another clean-cut, feminine wine from Emmanuel Cruse and his team. January 2012.
JancisRobinson.com
Lightish crimson. Lightly brulee nose. Not quite the intensity of the 2011. Agreeable but not that exciting.