2012 Château d'Issan
Community Tasting Note
John McCabe wrote:
94 Points
Wednesday, January 31, 2024 - 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.
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9 comments have been posted
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3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue (1,299 views)
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue (1,299 views)
Comment posted by O'Meara:
2/1/2024 7:47:00 AM - I’ve always appreciated d’Issan, and I think 2012 was a good year for them. Thanks for the note!
Comment posted by John McCabe:
2/3/2024 10:31:00 AM - Yes, d'Issan is likely my favorite Chateaux at its price-point across multiple vintages. I've likely had about 100 bottles over time. lol.
I think '05 vintage is the clear standout - absolutely amazing.
'06 was never quite as good as the '05 but it has closed the gap surprisingly and is quite a bit cheaper, so it's an interesting option.
'12 was also a standout, though the case I got a year ago was kind of average - maybe it wasn't stored perfectly (it it peaked earlier than most vintages).
Vintages before '05 are more uneven, though I loved many bottles of the '86 (though it is likely faded quite a bit now). Vintages since '10 have been consistently very strong; '15 is particularly delicious now considering it's not that old yet.
Comment posted by O'Meara:
2/4/2024 5:53:00 PM - I really like the 2000, too. I have some 2010 that I’m sitting on. I’ll keep an eye out for the 2005. Thanks for the great insight.
Comment posted by John McCabe:
2/8/2024 2:37:00 PM - I've never had the '00; I'll keep an eye out for it, to try. Surprisingly the '09 was quite underwhelming compared to so many other wines from that great vintage.
Comment posted by Jake Barnes:
3/2/2024 6:15:00 AM - John, through your various notes I’ve become aware of your high regard for the ‘12. Have you had the 2010? At the same price point, which would you buy?
Comment posted by John McCabe:
3/2/2024 7:11:00 AM - Hi Jake, yes, I've enjoyed quite a few of the '10 vintage; I picked them up at Costco upon release and enjoyed them over a few years. I think the '10 was excellent, and had some of the general quality of the vintage with high freshness/acidity.
Not sure what I'd pick at the same pricepoint - do you mean the same pricepoint as the '10 or '12 would be priced now, and with intent to drink now or hold?
Comment posted by Jake Barnes:
3/2/2024 10:29:00 AM - John—
I guess I was really just asking if you like the 2012 as much as the 2010. The D’Issan 2012 and 2010 are both available right now at a local merchant in my area for $95/btl.
Comment posted by John McCabe:
3/4/2024 5:54:00 AM - Ah, got it. My sense is that the '12 is better - it really is a standout in the vintage, while the '10 was more of a standard performer, albeit in what is regarded as the better vintage generally. My solution in these situations would be to get both ;-). I think that price sounds good for both of them. One other consideration is that the '10 likely would age better, so if you're going to hold onto them for a while the '10 may outpace the '12 over time. Keep an eye out for the '05 - it really is a singular wine.
Comment posted by Jake Barnes:
3/5/2024 8:59:00 AM - Thanks, John! I appreciate the insights. I’ll probably get a little of both. And I’ll look out for the’05, too!