2000 d'Issan
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Tasting notes
Delicate but clear tannic struture, textured blackberry and raspberry fruits, concentrated with touches of tobacco, saffron and espresso. This has structure and depth. The 1995 is more graceful today and I would suggest saving this for another five years time, or give it a good few hours in a carafe. 36hl/h yield (after frost in one plot largely used for the 2nd wine), 50% new oak. A wet spring with lots of rain in this vintage (in some ways similar to 2016 and 2018) but an exceptional Indian summer with harvest from September 25 to October 11.
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More reviews and scores
The 2000 Château d’Issan, which Emmanuel Cruse describes as the last of the “old style” of d’Issan, has an open bouquet with red plum, strawberry and touches of soy coming through with time. Touches of cooked meat also join the chorus line. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly rustic tannins, but quite sharp with pointed acidity. It is missing a little grip and displays a peppery, savoury, hickory-tinged finish with clove and white pepper on the aftertaste. Fully mature, I would drink this millennial soon.
Wonderful aromatics of walnut, leather, soft truffles, touches of cloves, this is a perfect wine for the winter months. The high acidity maintains freshness and backbone but there is a definite tertiary feel at this point with autumnal raspberry and blackberry fruits. It's gentle and welcoming with the elegant edge that Issan does so well. Feels like an old friend and practically begs you to stop what you are doing and open a book. A yield of 36hl/ha. 50% new oak.