Château d'Issan 2018 (Pre-Arrival)

• 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

"An explosive, dense wine, the 2018 d'Issan possesses off the charts richness and fabulous intensity. A rush of blue/black fruit, chocolate, smoke, spice, leather and tobacco builds in a potent Margaux endowed with tremendous concentration and pure, unbridled power. The 2018 is an unusually brooding, somber d'Issan that is likely to require a number of years to be at its best. Today, it is compelling, even in the early going." - Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, (April, 2019), Ratings: 92-95

"The 2018 D'Issan is composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, aging in 50% new and 50% second year barrels for an estimated 18 months. With 13.97% alcohol and a deep garnet-purple color, it features baked berries, warm cherries and cassis with spice box and fragrant earth plus tea hints. Medium to full-bodied, it has a great core of muscular fruit with firm, fine-grained tannins, with nice freshness, finishing layered with mineral notions." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (4/23/2019, Bordeaux 2018 Issue), Ratings: 94-96