Chateau d'Issan 2025

Black currants, cedar, tobacco, flowers, cherries, licorice, smoke, and cigar wrappers define the aromatic profile. Medium-bodied, lifted, sweet, vibrant, and elegant, the wine offers polish, finesse, refinement, and beautiful textures. The fruit is fresh, clean, and pure. The energy in the finish, with its layers of lush, polished fruit that stick with you, expanding and building in intensity, hits the spot.. The wine is made from a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot. 13.73% ABV. Picking took place September 11 - September 23. Yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare. It is important to note that 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the Cruse family as owners of d'Issan. Drink from 2030-2060.

• Nom du critique: Jeff Leve

Cassis, black cherries, smoky tobacco, graphite, and a chalky minerality all shine from the 2025 Château D'Issan, a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot that's being raised in 50% new barriques with the balance in once-used barrels. Reminding me slightly of the 2016 with its balance and elegance, it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a pure, graceful mouthfeel, fine tannins, and outstanding length. It builds beautifully with time in the glass, and checking in at 13.73% alcohol with a pH of 3.63, this is going to be an incredibly satisfying, classic, complex Margaux that exudes class and elegance.

• Nom du critique: Jeb Dunnuck

The 2025 d'Issan is fabulous. Inky and racy to the core, the 2025 Issan has so much to offer. Crème de cassis, menthol, licorice, cloves, gravel and mocha all meld together in the glass. Sumptuous and seamless with exceptional balance, the 2025 is a real stunner. This is an especially dense d'Issan that reflects the intensity of the year. Tasted two times.

• Nom du critique: Antonio Galloni

Violets and iris notes on the nose. Supple and succulent with a drop of sweet strawberries balanced against quite fresh blackcurrants, liquorice and cola. I love the texture – streamlined, focused, detailed, so smooth and sophisticated. Maybe a more dark profile than recent vintages but feels so well constructed with a firm frame and cool drive from start to finish. It has layers, this isn’t lacking in any power or muscle but it doesn’t have any heaviness or chew and in that respect it gives a lot of wine without much weight at all. Grippy, fun, interesting, captivating and so easy to drink. Potential upscore in bottle. 2% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc complete the blend. 3.63pH. A yield of 29hl/ha.

• Nom du critique: Georgina Hindle

Deep dark ruby garnet, opaque core, violet reflections, delicate rim brightening. Floral background of cassis, black cherries, a hint of cassis, delicate nuances of precious wood, candied lime zest. Complex, elegant, red berry fruit, fresh structure, ripe tannins, mineral, delicate extract sweetness, good length, secure development potential.

• Nom du critique: Peter Moser