2010 - d'Issan, Margaux

Excellent quality, totally maintains the character difference between the 2009 and 2010 vintages while delivering excellent in each one. Silky tannins, beautiful spice, chocolate, espresso, smoked caramel, and this will stay on this plateau for decades, just totally classy and easy to recommend. 50% new oak for ageing, 42hl/h yield. Harvest September 27 to October 14. Last time I tasted this, two years ago, it was nowhere near as open as it is today, and this is an upscore.

The 2010 Château d’Issan has a very intense bouquet with layers of black fruit interlaced with wild hedgerow, touches of iodine and brine that I noticed on the same bottle a couple of years ago. This still requires a couple of years (or 2-3 hours of decanting) before serving. The palate is much more refined than the 2005, particularly the tannins that are less prominent. Very harmonious and lightly spiced, there is bewitching symmetry about this d’Issan and it is just as sophisticated as I found back in 2018. Wonderful delineation and clearly more persistence on the finish compared to the aforementioned 2005.

Deep garnet in color, the 2010 D'Issan opens with baked blackberries, blackcurrant jelly and stewed plums scents with hints of bouquet garni and charcoal. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is bright and refreshing with just enough chewy, textured black fruits and an earthy finish.

Tasted blind. Deep garnet with black core. Slightly odd aroma: sweet and a bit confected, a touch volatile? Jammy. Spirity, too. Not a lot in the middle and tough tannins on the finish. Not typically Margaux. (JH)