94-96 Barrel Sample. 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.
More precise on the nose but a little less structured and dense than 2015. More mineral, with subtle savory character, plums, orange, white pepper and berries. Medium- to full-bodied with a fine thread on the palate that goes in a linear mode. Refined and very fine-boned, with tannins that are almost a bit chalky. Certainly not as opulent as 2015 and slightly closed on the palate, but it shines with balance and harmony. The comparison of 2015 and 2016 is like comparing 2009 and 2010. A blend of 64% cabernet sauvignon and 36% merlot. Already lovely now, but better in two or three more years if you expect more complexity and layers. Tasted in a vertical at the winery.
Tasted over two days, and although the attack is supple, with fruit and light notes of espresso, the palate is somewhat low key in its expression of red and black fruit with overtones of spice. One notices high toned acidity, and I suspect that the wine has entered a youthful, 'closed-in' phase. What cannot be denied: fine grained tannin and impressive length on a finish marked by freshness and tonicity. Don't touch before 2025 at least, however.
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.
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.
The 2016 Château d'Issan has a more lush, slightly precocious bouquet with violet-infused black plum and marine scents, classic in style, “cool and collected”. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, very well balanced, unapologetically classic in style with just the right amount of austerity on the finish. Surely one of the best vintages from this historic estate in recent years. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting and consistent with notes at Bordeaux Index's own tasting.
TWI
93pts
The Wine Independent
The 2016 d’Issan is a medium bodied wine, offering a fresh and clean, cassis filled nose. It is not a heavyweight and seems to have the telltale feminine Margaux expression. The taste offers red berries, and juicy fresh fruit ending with notes of truffles and spices. It is ready to be consumed now.
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. Score Range: 88-91.