Château d'Issan 2014

• Domaine: Château d'Issan
• Appellation: Margaux
• Classification: Third Growth, 3ème Grand Cru Classé
• Origin: Left Bank, Bordeaux, France
• Importer: Laguna Cellar

Prominently inscribed on the label of Château d'Issan is the phrase "Regum Mensis Aris Que Deorum" ("For the tables of kings and the altars of gods"). The legend has it that the wine was served at the wedding breakfast of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine.  It is worth noting that this is one of the few real castles in Médoc, even with its own moat.

Tasting Notes

"The 2014 D'Issan has a crisp, pure bouquet, quite tight and reticent like the 2014 Marquis d'Alesme Becker, eventually offering blackberry, soy and cedar scents, almost Saint Julien in style. The palate is medium-bodied with a touch of herbaceousness on the entry, but there is plenty of fruit behind it. I like the classic style of this d'Issan, the pepperiness of the Cabernet driving the structured and quite masculine (for Margaux) finish. This is beginning to show the class that I thought it would and it may merit a higher score in the future." - Neal Martin, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (3/31/2017, Interim Issue), Rating: 91+, Drink: 2020-2040