Château d'Issan

An excellent, lightly meaty red with good depth and precision on the nose. The wine shows blackberries, blueberries and hints of iodine, bacon, graphite and violets. Tannins are fine and precise, with a full body and a long finish. This is my favorite d’Issan from the vertical flight. 55% cabernet sauvignon, 39% merlot, 3% cabernet franc, 2% petit verdot and 1% malbec. Drink or hold. From a vertical tasting at the winery.

The 2016 D’Issan is a stunning blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon and 36% Merlot. It was aged in 50% new and 50% one-year-old French oak for 18 months prior to bottling. Once on the nose this takes on layers of baking spices, anise, creme de cassis and wet gravel accents. The palate is medium to full-bodied with gorgeous dark fruits and dark florals that meld well with sandalwood and rocky accents. This should easily go for another twenty years to come. Drink 2025-2045-