2022 d'Issan
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Tasting notes
The 2022 Château d'Issan demonstrates much more control and focus than the preceding Prieuré-Lichine, with tightly wound black fruit, graphite and cedar coming through with time. Impressive terroir expression here. The palate is medium-bodied, with sappy black fruit laced with liquorice, grippy and assertive though it retains focus. Just a touch of herbaceousness pops up unexpectedly on the aftertaste, which is why I docked a couple of points. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.
Critic scores
Average Score
William Kelley, Wine Advocate
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
The 2022 D'Issan has turned out beautifully, wafting from the glass with aromas of minty cassis, rose petals, pencil shavings and vine smoke. Medium to full-bodied, suave and velvety, it's deep, complex and well-balanced, with a sweet core of fruit and ripe structuring tannins. It's a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot.
The deep ruby/purple-hued 2022 Château D'Issan is rock star stuff, offering a massive array of red and black fruits, spring flowers, violets, smoky tobacco, and a beautiful sense of minerality. This full-bodied, powerful, concentrated Issan has a layered, seamless mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. The alcohol here is 14.6% and the pH is a solid 3.6. Give bottles 4-5 years if you can, and it will evolve gracefully over the following three decades.
The 2022 Château d'Issan, the first to utilize the new cuvier equipped with smaller vats, has a well-defined nose that is far superior to the Moulin d'Issan. The gap between the two is wider compared to other properties. It features black fruit, touches of espresso and graphite on the nose, with none of the dark chocolate aroma that I observed from barrel. The palate is medium-bodied with a sapid entry and quite firm tannins. This is classic in style, a cool and linear d'Issan that, like others, you would not guess was born in a hot vintage. With good depth and grip on the finish, this is a spicy d'Issan that will develop well in bottle. Afford it five to seven years before broaching if you can.