CRITIC REVIEWS
Neal Martin
The 2020 Chateau d'Issan has a gorgeous, perfumed, floral bouquet with mainly red berry fruit, rose petal and hints of violet. The palate is medium-bodied, very focused and linear, with fine tannins. It perhaps needs a little more density toward the finish. There is a little bitterness on the aftertaste, yet that just lends tension and nerve. Lovely. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown
The 2020 D'Issan is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec, aging in French oak barriques, 50% new. It has an alcohol of 13.29%, a pH of 3.71 and an IPT (tannin index) of 73. Displaying an opaque purple-black color, it has vibrant notes of Bing cherries, boysenberries, ripe redcurrants and juicy black plums, plus hints of pencil shavings, wild thyme, lavender and forest floor. The medium-bodied palate has impressive energy with crunchy red and black fruits and compelling tension, framed by fine-grained tannins, finishing long and mineral laced.
JancisRobinson.com
Tasted blind. Deep crimson. Ripe, sweet damson and blackcurrant fruit with a nice hint of lead pencil. Juicy but firmly textured. Smooth tannins but it lacks a bit of energy on the finish. (JH)


