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| | Vintage | 2012 |  Label 1 of 245 
 | | Type | Red | | Producer | Château d'Issan (web) | | Variety | Red Bordeaux Blend | | Designation | n/a | | Vineyard | n/a | | Country | France | | Region | Bordeaux | | SubRegion | Médoc | | Appellation | Margaux | | UPC Code(s) | 3277034722421, 3303292503943, 3364420083225, 3453521190823, 3460270042334, 3511061246544, 3660989114593, 400005114694, 607921023844, 639737586510, 649185983120, 649944160250, 852187008269 |
| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.9 pts. and median of 92 pts. in 163 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by John McCabe on 1/31/2024 & rated 94 points: Always a reliable, beautiful aged Bordeaux from one of my favorite producers. Elegant, sweet and expressive, showing nice age. This was better than most of the previous bottles from this case. (1303 views) | | | Tasted by stkilda on 1/21/2024 & rated 94 points: Of all the Bordeaux vintages I have tasted of late I have found the 2012 the most uniform in accessibility. This is no different and is a real joy to taste. It’s in a great place to drink now, aromas of tobacco , cocoa and forest fungi. It’s not a blockbuster but it’s a highly seductive rendition and in a Bordeaux context great value for money. (1008 views) | | | Tasted by Wine.ape on 1/1/2024 & rated 91 points: Drank the bottle over two days with no decanting whatsoever. First day I thought it was still bit tannic and a bit hollow in the mid palate, also the fruit was being overpowered by barnyard aromas. Second day different story, the fruit was shining together with some tobacco and coffee aromas and a much smoother mouth feeling. Very nice. I am sure this still has some gas in the tank for the next 5-10 years+. At the moment I would decant. (917 views) | | | Tasted by Ben Christiansen on 9/30/2023: Boldly coffee and mocha on the nose, with just a bare hint of green adding complexity. Lively and vivid on the palate with dark fruit and coffee showing through. Substantial structure. Just opened and feels like it can go much farther. (1767 views) | | | Tasted by John McCabe on 9/2/2023 & rated 93 points: Working my way through this case; beautiful as always. (1547 views) | | | Tasted by John McCabe on 8/25/2023 & rated 94 points: Brought one of these back home to Dublin, Ireland it's its like it got some reverse-bottle-shock - this was so elegant, full of subtlety and expression. The sweet fruit was quite satisfying. 94+pts. (1490 views) | | | Tasted by SeaCellar on 7/15/2023 & rated 93 points: Wonderful balance of opulence and restraint. Decanted and drank gradually over 3.5 hrs. Time (and food) coaxed the wine from closed to deeply satisfying. It drank well at first, but complexity took time to unfold. Palate was black fruits with spice. Cardamom and Mexican chocolate were such spices. Finely integrated tannins. Wonderful long finish. More cellar time might reward this wine, but might also dampen some of this lushness. Very rewarding wine now. Great winemaking to achieve this balance. 13% alcohol. (1362 views) | | | Tasted by FiggySmalls on 7/9/2023: drinking very well on pnp. resolved and youthful but not "developed."
this has enough bones to repay another 9-10 years but mine won't make it that far.
soft tannin (with pleasant raspy greenness on the back end) and medium-minus acid.
nice ripe blackberry, toasty oak, sexy, but correct and not lipsticked up (1354 views) | | | Tasted by John McCabe on 6/27/2023 & rated 93 points: Similar to previous notes. This is in a good spot now and likely won't improve much if at all with more age. The black fruit feels fully resolved. I think this showed better a few years ago (though perhaps this recent case I got from WineBid is a bit affected - not sure). (1320 views) | | | Tasted by John McCabe on 5/18/2023 & rated 93 points: Very open-knit, could be mistaken for an aged Napa cab in many respects. The fruit is quite resolved. 93+pts. (1500 views) | | | Tasted by John McCabe on 5/7/2023 & rated 93 points: From the recent case I picked up on WineBid - I've some concern that the wines from this batch are a little off - the house style was not as apparent with this bottle, though everything resolved into a very pretty black fruit expression by the end of the bottle. I don't get any sense that there is further development to be had by more bottle age on this, but again not sure if it's just this batch or the vintage generally. The '12 d'Issan sang more the previous times I've tried it in previous years. (1412 views) | | | Tasted by John McCabe on 4/29/2023 & rated 94 points: Got another case of these as the '12 was one of the very best price/quality ratios for this Chateaux for me. This has the telltale hallmarks of the house style - a sweet core of dark fruit, along with a hint of smoke, leather; classy and delicious. The power is starting to wane though, and I doubt there may be much if any benefits to ageing this further. I wish I could compare it to what the '05 and '06 taste like now - two other personal favorite vintages of this wine. One to seek out, though recent vintages of this may be better still, with more power. (1352 views) | | | Tasted by VoVo on 1/2/2023 & rated 93 points: A perfect pairing with steak and potatoes on a wintry evening. (1954 views) | | | Tasted by kidsmurf2000 on 7/14/2022 & rated 94 points: A good bottle! (3010 views) | | | Tasted by kidsmurf2000 on 6/3/2022 & rated 91 points: Popped and poured, it as nice, but nothing spectacular (2820 views) | | | Tasted by no leashes on 4/10/2022 & rated 91 points: Delicious blue and black fruit, pencil lead and earth tones. Beautifully balanced, elegant and smooth. (3097 views) | | | Tasted by Romz on 3/29/2022 & rated 90 points: Another superb bottle during our blind tasting dinner on 2903022. Garnet pour with slight bricking. Plenty of primary fruits - plums, blackberries, cassis followed with earthy, gravel and some graphite nose. My guess was an aged Pessac but was delighted that this is from another appellation. Savory finish, polished tannins & mouthfeel with minerality lingering finish (3113 views) | | | Tasted by kidsmurf2000 on 3/21/2022 & rated 93 points: Great, aged and ready to go (2813 views) | | | Tasted by BradA on 1/9/2022 & rated 92 points: Excellent. Nose of camphor and eucalyptus. Great balance and long finish. A worthy producer and one to cellar for enjoyment in the years ahead. (2587 views) | | | Tasted by kidsmurf2000 on 12/28/2021 & rated 92 points: Not nearly as great as the last bottle, just an enjoyable Bordeaux here. (2176 views) | | | Tasted by JS199 on 12/14/2021 & rated 92 points: Beautiful nose that reminds me of Spring. However, on the palate, this appears to have shut down. 92+ (2331 views) | | | Tasted by rthpal on 12/13/2021 & rated 95 points: When I last tasted this wine (about 3 months ago) I gave it a 94+. Today it seemed to have improved a bit (deep purple, great bouquet). A friend said he would give it a 96. He might be right, but for now I am giving it 95+ points. (2407 views) | | | Tasted by Omar Khayyam on 12/5/2021: Not rated. Tight and crampy right now. But has all the qualities. I would wait another five years. We just opened and poured. Towards the end of the evening it started to open up a bit and the bitter sour flavours were toned down, showing promise for the future. Great structure and acidity and dense fruit. Confirming my view on the 2012 vintage as a bit of an unheralded vintage.
Nota Bene: this was a gift from the winery and was bottled early for a Union des Grand Cru tour in 2013 so has not received same time on oak barrels as the proper wine. (2251 views) | | | Tasted by kidsmurf2000 on 11/13/2021 & rated 96 points: Incredible, perfectly aged right now. (2118 views) | | | Tasted by werdna39 on 11/7/2021 & rated 95 points: Wonderful nose and delicious right now. My last of 4 bottles, so I just bought another 6-pack! (2094 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (2/10/2022)
(Ch d'Issan Margaux Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jane Anson
Decanter, Château d'Issan vertical (12/12/2019)
(Château d'Issan, Margaux, Bordeaux, France, Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jane Anson
Decanter, Margaux 2011 & 2012 (11/24/2018)
(Château d'Issan, Margaux, Bordeaux, France, Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Neal Martin
Vinous, The Marital Margaux: d’Issan 1945-2015 (Jul 2018) (7/1/2018)
(D'issan D'issan Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Panel Tasting
Decanter, Keystone Reviews Migration 5 (12/12/2016)
(Château d'Issan, Margaux, Bordeaux, France, Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Chris Kissack
Winedoctor, November 2016 (11/1/2016)
(Château d’Issan Margaux Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (1/21/2016)
(Ch d'Issan Margaux Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, 2012 Bordeaux: Messages in a Bottle (Jan 2016) (1/1/2016)
(D'issan D'issan) Subscribe to see review text. | By Steven Spurrier
Decanter, Bordeaux 2012 results: Margaux (4/19/2013)
(Château d'Issan, Margaux, Bordeaux, France, Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (4/12/2013)
(Ch d'Issan Margaux Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Ian D'Agata
Vinous, April 2013, IWC Issue #168
(Chateau d'Issan Margaux) Subscribe to see review text. | By Chris Kissack
Winedoctor, April 2013 (4/1/2013)
(Château d’Issan Margaux Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By John Gilman
View From the Cellar, Mar/Apr 2013, Issue #44, The 2012 Bordeaux Vintage: A Very Inconsistent, But Classically-Proportioned Year
(Château d’Issan) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Neal Martin
Vinous, A Century of Bordeaux: The Twos (Sep 2022)
(d'Issan d'Issan Red) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of JancisRobinson.com and Decanter and Vinous and Winedoctor and View From the Cellar. (manage subscription channels) |
| Château d'Issan Producer website - Read more about Chateau d’IssanRed Bordeaux BlendRed Bordeaux is generally made from a blend of grapes. Permitted grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and rarely Carménère.Today Carménère is rarely used, with Château Clerc Milon, a fifth growth Bordeaux, being one of the few to still retain Carménère vines. As of July 2019, Bordeaux wineries authorized the use of four new red grapes to combat temperature increases in Bordeaux. These newly approved grapes are Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa.
Wineries all over the world aspire to making wines in a Bordeaux style. In 1988, a group of American vintners formed The Meritage Association to identify wines made in this way. Although most Meritage wines come from California, there are members of the Meritage Association in 18 states and five other countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, and Mexico.France Vins de France (Office National Interprofessionnel des Vins ) | Pages Vins, Directory of French Winegrowers | French Wine (Wikipedia)
Wine Scholar Guild vintage ratings
2018 vintage: "marked by a wet spring, a superb summer and a good harvest"
2019 vintage reports
2021: "From a general standpoint, whether for white, rosé or red wines, 2021 is a year marked by quality in the Rhône Valley Vineyards. Structured, elegant, fresh and fruity will be the main keywords for this new vintage."
2022 harvest: idealwine.info | wine-searcher.comBordeaux Bordeaux Wine Guide
Vins Bordeaux (Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux)
History of Bordeaux
History of 1855 Bordeaux Classification
"2009 is all about ripeness, with wines impressively packed with ripe fruit and high alcohol levels. They are showy, in-your-face, and full of pleasure. The 2010s have the fruit and alcohol levels of the 2009s, but with a compelling freshness on the finish that balances the fruit and provides a perfect sense of structure." - Ben Nelson
"2016 is a landmark vintage in certain spots of Bordeaux and it should be remembered as one of the most inspired campaigns of the last 40-50+ years." -Jon Rimmerman
"The quality of red Bordeaux in 2016 was universally lauded – although the response to the en primeur campaign was muted. Quantity was high too, with the equivalent of 770 million bottles of wine produced. An exceptionally dry summer with cool nights eventually, thanks to mid September rain, resulted in small, thick-skinned, ripe grapes, and the wines are marked by high tannin and acidity, with superb aromatic fragrance." - Jancis Robinson
"2017 was complicated, but there are some excellent wines. Expect plenty of freshness and drinkability from wines that will offer excellent value, and others that will rival 2016 in terms of ripeness and ageability. But they are likely to be the exception not the rule, making careful selection key." - Jane Anson
"In the past, a vintage such as 2022 may have been overripe, raisined and low in acidity but 2022 had a sneaky little reservoir in its back pocket - a near perfect marriage of cool/cold/rain the previous winter and the previous vintage that literally soaked the soils (a key to why 2022 is not 2003...or 1893)." - Jon RimmermanMédoc Vins du Médoc (Conseil des Vins du Médoc) - Read More about the Medoc
VdB
The eight precisely defined appellations of the whole of the Médoc (from Blanquefort Brook to the north of the Bordeaux built-up area, almost to the Pointe de Grave) may claim the Médoc appellation. But there is also a specific territory in the north of the peninsula which produces exclusively wines with this appellation. In the great majority, the Médocs come from the north of the peninsula. The great individuality of this region is that the number of vines has increased more recently here than elsewhere, apart from a few isolated spots where vines have grown for many years. Today, the size of the small estate has brought about the development of a powerful co-operative movement. Four co-operatives out of five belong to the group called Unimédoc which ensures aging, bottling and marketing a large proportion of their wines.Margaux Read more about Margaux and its wines As with a large part of the Bordeaux vineyards, vines first appeared in Margaux during the Gallo-Roman period.
In 1705 a text mentions Château Margaux . But we have to wait for the end of the eighteenth century and the coming of the earliest techniques in aging for the concept of wines of high quality to develop. The confirmation of this was the famous 1855 classification which recognized 21 Crus Classés in the Margaux appellation. One hundred years later, the Viticultural Federation and the Margaux appellation of controlled origin were born. The appellation, which stretches out over five communes, is actually unique in the Médoc in that it is the only one to contain all the range of wines, as rich as they are vast, from First Great Cru Classé to the Fifths, not forgetting its famous Crus Bourgeois and its Crus Artisans.
In Margaux there is a predominance of Garonne gravel on a central plateau of about 4 miles in length and one and a quarter wide. To the east-south-east, it overlooks the low lying land by the estuary. Its east side is marked by gentle, dry valleys and a succession of ridges.The layer of gravel in Margaux was spread out by a former Garonne in the early Quaternary. Rather large in size, it is mingled with shingle of average dimension and represents the finest ensemble of Günz gravel in the Haut-Médoc. It is on this ancient layer on a Tertiary terrace of limestone or clayey marl that the best Médoc crus lie. All the conditions for successful wine are present : a large amount of gravel and pebbles, poor soil which cannot retain water and deep rooted vines.
It is customary to say that Margaux wines are the "most feminine" in the Médoc, thus stressing their delicacy, suppleness and their fruity, elegant aromas. This does not affect their great propensity for aging; just the opposite, for the relatively thin terroir imparts tannins which give them long life. The other characteristic of these wines which combine an elegant vitality, subtlety and consistency, is their diversity and personality. Over and above the flavour which is their "common denominator", they present an exceptional palette of bouquets, fruity flavours which show up differently from one château to another.
Production conditions (Decree dated August 10 1954)
In order to have the right to the Margaux appellation of controlled origin, red wines must:
- come from the commune of Margaux, Cantenac, Soussans, Arsac and Labarde, "excluding the land which by the nature of its soil or because of its situation, is unfit to produce wine of this appellation".
- satisfy precise production conditions: grape-varieties (Cabernet-Sauvignon, Cabernet-Franc, Carmenère, Merlot Noir, Petit Verdot, Cot or Malbec), minimum of sugar (178 grammes - 6.27 oz. - per litre of must) degree (an acquired 10°5) base yield (45 hectolitres per hectare).
Vins de Bordeaux:
Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Merlot
Soil: Gravel and silt plateau on a layer of limestone or silt on clay
Surface Area: 1,530 ha |
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