d'Issan Margaux 2016

97 points Jane Anson (Decanter): "Tight and closed but clearly going to power out of the gate in five or six years. Shows depth and persistency, with precision and balance to the fruit flavours, feels like every base is covered, laced through with liquorice, cinnamon and black chocolate, and although there is power it has a light touch. A delicious wine, long life ahead, note it down for the future. Drinking Window: 2026-2045. (Dec 2019)"

96 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "The assemblage in this vintage is 64% Cabernet Sauvignon and 36% Merlot, and the grand vin took 45% of the harvest. The élevage was in 50% new oak barrels. I find a rather exciting nose here, filled with the scents of grilled blackcurrants, black olive and black beans, with twists of tobacco, toast and praline coming from the oak barrels. The palate is full, with a medium- to full-bodied presence, carrying attractive and elegantly grained spicy black fruits, perfumed with rose petals, black bean and dried black olives. This is all underpinned by a sinewy texture and a filigree elegance, as well as a strong seam of ripe, sinewy and tightly grained tannins. A very fresh style, confident and poised, with a lovely grip from the finessed tannins, a great balance and vivacity, and an engaging length. This is a real success for this château. (Dec 2018)"

96 points James Suckling: "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. (1/14/19)"

95 points (17.5/20)/'Le Coup de Coeur,' La Revue du Vin de France (2020).

94+ points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate): "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. Drink: 2019-2037. (Nov 2018)"

94+ points Jeb Dunnuck: "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. Drink: 2023-2048. (2/28/19)"