Chateau d'Issan 2016

When envisioning a medieval stronghold, Chateau d'Issan is fits the description, with high walls and a moat. Chateau d'Issan began life as a different estate. In 1152, it was part of a fiefdom originally called La Mothe-Cantenac. It was actually served at the wedding between Eleanor of Acquitane and King Henry II. A few years later, the name was changed to Theobon Manor. There have been numerous other owners of the estate but the next important occurrence happened during the 16th century when the d'Essenault family purchased the estate. They changed the name of the estate to d'Issan. A shortened version of the last name. As with most properties during the French Revolution, it was abandoned. In the early 1800, Jean Baptispe Duluc took over the estate and launched a series of project to improve the vineyards. Shortly after the 1855 classification, it was sold to the Blanchy family. The up and down hjstory of the Chateau began a downward trek until 1945 when the Cruse family purchased the estate. Currently Emmanuel Cruse and his partners have re-invested in the property bringing it back to its glory.

Chateau d'Issan is currently planted with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. they are currently shifting to having more Merlot in the vineyards.

Wine Spectator: 91
Light pepper and savory hints lead off in this bouncy, juicy version, with bright cassis and bitter cherry fruit forming the core. Shows a light mineral edge on the finish.

Wine Advocate: 94
The 2016 D'Issan is blended of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon and 36% Merlot, aged in 50% new and 50% one-year-old French oak for 18 months. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it has vibrant black cherries and blackcurrants notes with chocolate mint, beef drippings, black olives and cigar box. Medium-bodied with a well-sustained, intensely flavored mid-palate, it has a rock-solid, grainy frame and long savory finish. 10,500 cases produced.

Wine Advocate: 94

The 2016 D'Issan is blended of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon and 36% Merlot, aged in 50% new and 50% one-year-old French oak for 18 months. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it has vibrant black cherries and blackcurrants notes with chocolate mint, beef drippings, black olives and cigar box. Medium-bodied with a well-sustained, intensely flavored mid-palate, it has a rock-solid, grainy frame and long savory finish. 10,500 cases produced.

Decanter: 94
A lovely wine that delivers on its en primeur promise, with contemporary touches of cocoa-dusted rich damson, creamy blackberries and extremely well handled grilled oak. It has lovely lift and the fruit is buttressed neatly by well worked tannins, while the acidity gives an elegant twist. Welcoming and sculpted. Drinking Window 2024 – 2040.

Wine Enthusiast: 95
This wine has an austere structure, with firm tannins. The fruit comes through slowly, revealing an attractive black-currant flavor and ample acidity. This will be a very fine wine with time; try after 2029.

James Suckling: 96
The brightness and precision already comes through on the nose with floral, blackcurrant character. Full-bodied and very tight and creamy with polished tannins that last for minutes. Warm and intense. Needs four to five years to show all it has, yet already a beauty.

Jeb Dunnuck: 94
I loved the 2016 Château d'Issan and this is a certainly a wine to seek out. Made from a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon and 36% Merlot from yields of 55 hectoliters per hectare, aged 18 months in 50% new oak, it has a beautiful perfume of blue fruits (cassis, blueberries, etc.) as well as hints of graphite, subtle oak, and charcoal. Medium to full-bodied, with integrated acidity, a terrific mid-palate, and perfect balance, it needs 4-5 years of bottle age and is going to cruise in good cellars for 20-25 years or more. It’s a beautiful, elegant, seamless wine that’s very much in the style of the vintage.

Jeb Dunnuck: 94

I loved the 2016 Château d'Issan and this is a certainly a wine to seek out. Made from a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon and 36% Merlot from yields of 55 hectoliters per hectare, aged 18 months in 50% new oak, it has a beautiful perfume of blue fruits (cassis, blueberries, etc.) as well as hints of graphite, subtle oak, and charcoal. Medium to full-bodied, with integrated acidity, a terrific mid-palate, and perfect balance, it needs 4-5 years of bottle age and is going to cruise in good cellars for 20-25 years or more. It’s a beautiful, elegant, seamless wine that’s very much in the style of the vintage.