Chateau d’Issan is located in the center of the Margaux appellation and rated as a third growth in the official Bordeaux Classification of 1855. Mild weather, moderated by proximity to the sea and the Gironde Estuary, provides ideal conditions for vine growth. The vines are, on average, 35 years old. The estate has 44 hectares of vines in Margaux, 5 in Haut-Medoc and 10 in Bordeaux Superieur.

Chateau d’Issan has a long history dating back to the 12th century when it was a fiefdom with the name of La Mothe-Cantenac. It already had an established reputation long before the 1855 classification, reportedly served at the wedding of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henri Plantagenet, future King of England, on 18th May 1152.

The estate has been handed down from generation to generation through inheritance and marriage until from 1575 onwards, it has been owned by five generations of the Essenault family who contracted their name and renamed the property “Issan”.

Chateau d’Issan expresses the exquisite bouquet so characteristic of Margaux, and stands out for its suppleness, subtlety, elegance and long aging potential.

The wine is made from the old vines in the Chateau d’Issan enclosure in the middle of the Margaux appellation. The soil is mainly comprised of surface gravel on a clay subsoil, contributing to optimal ripeness and freshness in the estate’s two grape varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The wine is aged in barrels for 16 to 18 months, half of which are new.

The 2023 d'Issan Bordeaux Blend is a red wine hailing from the Margaux sub-region in Bordeaux, France. This vintage is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 2.5% Cabernet Franc, and 2.5% Petit Verdot. This composition lends the wine a rich and complex profile, highlighted by its deep garnet-purple color and inviting aromatic qualities.

James Suckling rates this wine highly with a score of 97, praising its "purity of the fruit" and noting the presence of "blackcurrants, orange peel and raspberries." He describes it as full-bodied with "chewy tannins and a juicy finish," and lauds its "silky" and "precise" nature, attributing its allure to the quality of the tannins and its powdery texture (jamessuckling.com).

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gives the 2023 d'Issan a score of 95, recognizing its "excellent potential." William Kelley describes the wine as having aromas of "dark berries, cassis, pen ink and white flowers," and notes its "velvety and enveloping palate." He commends its "lively acids, good depth at the core and a long, sapid finish" (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate).

Antonio Galloni of Vinous also rates the wine at 95, calling it "a powerful, dense wine" that "exudes intensity in all of its dimensions." He advises patience as the wine will need time to "shed some of its considerable baby fat," but highlights its "dried herbs, tobacco, incense and bold, dark-toned fruit" (Vinous).

Jane Anson from janeanson.com also scores the wine 95, noting unique elements such as the absence of Malbec and the use of "50% new oak." She highlights its "fine tannins, well balanced, inky and powerful" characteristics, along with "oyster shell salinity" and "chalky tannins."

Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com gives the wine a score of 96, emphasizing its "silky elegance" and "concentrated, lush, refined, and rich" nature. He mentions the "tension paired with layers of sweet, ripe, opulent fruits" that linger, and notes that the wine should drink well from 2029-2055.

The Wine Independent and Decanter both offer strong reviews as well, with scores of 94 and 95, respectively. Lisa Perrotti-Brown of The Wine Independent notes its "expressive black and red berry flavors" with "spicy accents," while Decanter highlights its "lovely fragrance, dried rose petals and raspberry fruit," describing it as "rich and juicy" with "fine tannins and mouthwatering acidity."

Overall, the 2023 d'Issan is a well-regarded Bordeaux blend that promises complexity, richness, and elegance, with the potential to age gracefully over the years.