94

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

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. 01/2025

93

Neal Martin

Vinous

The 2022 Château d'Issan, the first to utilize the new cuvier equipped with smaller vats, has a well-defined nose that is far superior to the Moulin d'Issan. The gap between the two is wider compared to other properties. It features black fruit, touches of espresso and graphite on the nose, with none of the dark chocolate aroma that I observed from barrel. The palate is medium-bodied with a sapid entry and quite firm tannins. This is classic in style, a cool and linear d'Issan that, like others, you would not guess was born in a hot vintage. With good depth and grip on the finish, this is a spicy d'Issan that will develop well in bottle. Afford it five to seven years before broaching if you can. 01/2025

95

William Kelley

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate

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. 03/2025

96

Jeb Dunnuck

Jeb Dunnuck

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. 02/2025

96

Jean-Marc Quarin

Jean-Marc Quarin

Couleur sombre, intense et profonde. Nez très aromatique, fin, au fruité pur, mûr et subtil. Touche toastée. Délicat en entrée de bouche, particulièrement aromatique au milieu, avec de la classe dans le toucher, un corps fondant, le vin avance doucement vers un dernier tiers du palais remarquable, complexe et profond qui saisit la bouche sous la multiplication des saveurs et la caresse. C'est fou ! 02/2025

98

James Suckling

James Suckling

This is really luxurious, showing blackcurrants and orange peel with cedar and dried-mushroom aromas following through to a medium to full body that grows on the palate. 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. 01/2025