Château d'Issan 2022

Profound, cool, noble, with clear fruit and floral notes; a harmonious palate with silky tannins, crisp and fresh, lively acidity and a long finish, ending spicy and red-fruited. A very successful d'Issan that will be enjoyable at every stage of its life.

The 2022 D'Issan has turned out beautifully, wafting from the glass with aromas of minty cassis, rose petals, pencil shavings and vine smoke. Medium to full-bodied, suave and velvety, it's deep, complex and well-balanced, with a sweet core of fruit and ripe structuring tannins. It's a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot.

Wonderfully intense fragrance on the nose – violets, blackcurrants and chocolate. Smooth and silky, almost creamy in texture with bite to the tangy strawberry and red cherry fruit. The grip from the tannins takes hold from the mid palate onwards, creating a funnel for the energy and power to surge through, ending long and lifted. Lovely winemaking, this has thrust but is packaged really elegantly with the opulence of 2022 clearly on show – especially with a flash of heat on the finish – but balanced freshness and a light touch in the cellar. Bold but seductive nonetheless.

This is really luxurious, showing blackcurrants and orange peel with cedar and dried-mushroom aromas following through to a medium- to full-bodied palate that builds as it goes. This has crunchy and lightly chewy tannins that are slightly austere but in an elegant, classical Bordeaux way. Chewy at the end. So much energy and vibe. So complex. Probably the greatest wine ever from here. A blend of 65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 2% cabernet franc, 2% malbec and 1% petit verdot. Best after 2028 but already a joy to taste.

The 2022 d'Issan is a potent, tightly wound wine. Gravel, incense, leather, licorice and plum fill out the layers. This deep, virile Margaux is in no mood to show its cards today. I expect it to be very slow to mature. There's a lot of wine here. Powerful tannins dominate, which is unusual considering that Issan is often more charming at the outset. The 2022 needs time.

Flowers, espresso, black cherries, licorice, and cocoa fill the aromatics. On the palate, the wine is elegant, fresh, creamy, long, and refined. The fruits are ripe, sweet, and refined, as well as vibrant and, most importantly, pure. The tannins are silky, and even with all this ripeness and concentration, the wine remains light on its feet, leaving you with a sensuous endnote. This is the best vintage of d'Issan I have ever tasted! The wine is made from a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2027-2055.

Deep, dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, subtly brighter at the rim. Hints of fresh fig and orange zest, ripe plum and sweet cherry and, in the background, a touch of noble wood. Juicy, fine fruit, fine acid structure, ripe cherry and integrated tannins. Despite its substance, surprising freshness and elegance, with very good length and definite ageing potential.

Grips from the outset, spiced sandalwood, incense, cumin, graphite, black pepper, a ton of personality and confidence, juicy savoury black fruits, character, intensity, grip and lift, impressive. Love the character of this wine. Issan had been using five grapes in the blend since the 2020 vintage. 50% new oak.

A deep, intense bouquet with dark, gravitas-laden accents, where iris mingles with earthy notes. The palate is pure, creamy, and enticing, leading to a gourmet finish that reveals sumptuous nuances of mocha. What a beauty.

Intense, beautiful purple color with black highlights. Very aromatic nose, delicate, fruity, pure, ripe, fresh and subtle. Ultra-precise on the attack, refined mid-palate, with classy texture and a flavor that keeps building; the wine gains breadth and finishes long, savory, complete and deep. Magnificent! Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot. Alcohol: 14.64 (above average; previously, the 2009 was at 14.09) - pH: 3.67. IPT: 72. Yield: 30 hl/ha.

The deep ruby/purple-hued 2022 Château D'Issan is rock star stuff, offering a massive array of red and black fruits, spring flowers, violets, smoky tobacco, and a beautiful sense of minerality. This full-bodied, powerful, concentrated Issan has a layered, seamless mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. The alcohol here is 14.6% and the pH is a solid 3.6. Give bottles 4-5 years if you can, and it will evolve gracefully over the following three decades.

Impressive is the word for this fine wine and its ancient estate and moated château. Solid tannins and fragrant black fruits are backed by a dense texture and richness. The black coffee aroma and richness are developing well, but need time. Drink from 2029.