Château d'Issan 2016

Appellation: Margaux, Bordeaux, France

Grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

Vintage: 2016

Origin and background

The 2016 vintage at Margaux benefited from a hot, dry summer followed by a cool autumn, providing ideal conditions for slow, complete ripening. Château d'Issan, on a gravelly terroir typical of Margaux, offers an elegant, balanced and complex wine, true to the refined style of the estate.

Tasting

Colour: Deep red with purple highlights.

Nose: Complex and fine. Aromas of ripe black fruit (blackcurrant, blackberry), red fruit (cherry), delicate floral notes (violet), sweet spices (pepper, liquorice) and elegant woody nuances (cedar, vanilla).

Palate: Silky, full attack. Fine, well-structured tannins. Well-balanced mid-palate with pure fruit and refreshing acidity. Long, harmonious finish, marked by spicy and floral notes.

Review

- Wine Advocate: 93/100

- Vinous: 92/100

- James Suckling: 93/100

Suggested pairings

Pairs perfectly with grilled or roasted red meats (rib steak, fillet of beef), roast lamb or leg of lamb, roast poultry (guinea fowl, duck) as well as savoury stews (daube, civet). It also goes well with hard ripened cheeses (Comté, Parmesan) or slightly blue-veined cheeses.