Château d'Issan, 3ème Cru Classé, Margaux,

Clear muscular weight to the tannins and carefully-constructed architecture overall. This has dark fruits aromatics, cassis, bilberry, loganberry, with layers of flavour and a texture that plays with silk and slate through the palate. Fresh mint leaf and eucalyptus on the finish, the architecture of the tannins is serious but with a sense of energy, and totally delicious. Harvest September 17 to October 2, yield 38hl/h and the first vintage with five grape varieties in the blend including Malbec and Malbec - these add layers of spice and intensity that will be fascinating to watch age compared to the earlier pure Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon vintages.

The 2020 d’Issan is deep garnet-purple in color. It slowly unfurls to offer notes of cedar and cassis, followed by wafts of potpourri, crushed rocks, truffles, and unsmoked cigars. The light to medium-bodied palate is tightly knit, elegant, and refreshing, with loads of mineral sparks on the long finish.

The 2020 d'Issan is the first vintage with the parcels acquired from Pontac-Lynch, located just outside the Clos d'Issan. It contains a few rows of Malbec whose quality surprised Emmanuel Cruse, hence 1% in the Grand Vin. It also includes Petit Verdot planted in 1948. It is quintessentially Margaux on the nose with pressed violet and incense infusing the black fruit, beautifully defined with just some new oak to be assimilated. The palate is medium-bodied with svelte tannins, perfectly-judged acidity, harmonious and wonderfully focused on the peacock's tail of a finish. This is one of the finest d'Issans of the modern era.