Tasting Notes
Vinous 87
The 1996 Chateau d’Issan has a savoury bouquet, bacon fat infusing the red fruit. Black truffle and sage come through with time. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy, slightly dry tannins. This is quite an austere Margaux, a little coarse with perhaps a bit of Brettanomyces towards the finish. Bottles should be approached in the near future.
Anticipated maturity: 2026-2031
JancisRobinson.com 15.5
Very dark ruby. Very green Cabernet on the nose! Lots of oomph and ripe fruit even if not much subtlety – yet? Almost New World in its bumptiousness. Pretty drying tannins on the finish.
Anticipated maturity: 2004-2013
Robert Parker 90
The ’96 d’Issan is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot, matured in 50% new oak. Although the nose does not have the intensity of the 1995, it has more focus and harmony with blackberry, cedar, graphite and your old school desk covered in the graffiti of previous tenants. Nice lift. This shows the typical 1996 bouquet " austere but not in a negative way. The palate is very fine with firm tannins, a nice edginess to it, good acidity, like the nose rather austere and a oehaughtya and yet you can imagine it accompanying a meat dish with aplomb. Classic in every sense of the word with good length and a lovely tobacco and cedar finish. Drink now-2018. Tasted September 2008.
Anticipated maturity: 2009-2018
