94 points James Suckling: "Blackberry, blueberry, graphite, clove, tobacco and mahogany on the nose. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, fine-grained tannins. Very tight and refined with a mineral finish. Pretty finesse and focus. Second wine. Better from 2024. (1/27/21)"
91 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Intense garnet, ochre reflections, broad and bright rim. An inviting bouquet, with a floral touch, fresh nuances of cassis and blackberries, background notes of candied orange zest. Juicy and elegant, with sweet berry fruits, ripe, somewhat brittle tannins and a touch of cassis on the long finish. Already approachable, a versatile food wine. (2/14/21)"
90 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2018 Blason d'Issan is a pretty rich, heady wine, just as it was in barrel. Dark-toned fruit, chocolate, leather and spice all flesh out in this juicy, flavorful second wine from Issan. Drink it over the next handful of years. Drink: 2021-2028. (Mar 2021)"
90 points Jane Anson (Decanter): "With a lot of upfront tannic bite, this definitely benefits from five minutes in the glass to show the cassis and charcoal notes. A bitter dark chocolate washes over the finish, again showing that these are big tannins. Drinking Window: 2023-2036. (11/20/20)"
90 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "The blend of the second wine here is also led by Cabernet Sauvignon, at 52% of the total, the rest all Merlot as is always the case (although the blends will no doubt change in the 2020 vintage, after Emmanuel Cruse’s acquisition of more vineyards). This has perfumed fruit on the nose, elegantly formed, with red cherry, tobacco and dark chocolate notes. The palate follows on in the same vein, with a modest and polished structure of lightly chalky tannins, wrapped in charming fruit. This will need a couple of years to soften and then drink well. Well done. The alcohol here is 13.86%. (Feb 2021)"
90 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Flowers and spice are perfectly packaged with ripe, red pit fruits and tobacco. Medium-bodied, soft and supple with sweet cherries on the mid-palate and finish. Give this a year or two to soften, developing additional nuances making it perfect for near term drinking while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop. (Mar 2021)"
91 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Intense garnet, ochre reflections, broad and bright rim. An inviting bouquet, with a floral touch, fresh nuances of cassis and blackberries, background notes of candied orange zest. Juicy and elegant, with sweet berry fruits, ripe, somewhat brittle tannins and a touch of cassis on the long finish. Already approachable, a versatile food wine. (2/14/21)"
90 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2018 Blason d'Issan is a pretty rich, heady wine, just as it was in barrel. Dark-toned fruit, chocolate, leather and spice all flesh out in this juicy, flavorful second wine from Issan. Drink it over the next handful of years. Drink: 2021-2028. (Mar 2021)"
90 points Jane Anson (Decanter): "With a lot of upfront tannic bite, this definitely benefits from five minutes in the glass to show the cassis and charcoal notes. A bitter dark chocolate washes over the finish, again showing that these are big tannins. Drinking Window: 2023-2036. (11/20/20)"
90 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "The blend of the second wine here is also led by Cabernet Sauvignon, at 52% of the total, the rest all Merlot as is always the case (although the blends will no doubt change in the 2020 vintage, after Emmanuel Cruse’s acquisition of more vineyards). This has perfumed fruit on the nose, elegantly formed, with red cherry, tobacco and dark chocolate notes. The palate follows on in the same vein, with a modest and polished structure of lightly chalky tannins, wrapped in charming fruit. This will need a couple of years to soften and then drink well. Well done. The alcohol here is 13.86%. (Feb 2021)"
90 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Flowers and spice are perfectly packaged with ripe, red pit fruits and tobacco. Medium-bodied, soft and supple with sweet cherries on the mid-palate and finish. Give this a year or two to soften, developing additional nuances making it perfect for near term drinking while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop. (Mar 2021)"
| Product SKU | 356277 |
| Producer | d'Issan |
| Country | France |
| Region | Bordeaux |
| SubRegion | Left Bank |
| Appellation | Margaux |
| Varietal | Cabernet/Bordeaux Blends |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Size | 1.5L |
| Color | Red |
| Blend | 52% Cabernet Sauvignon |
| ABV | 13.9% |
| Ships To |
