Blason d'Issan Margaux 2016 is the elegant second wine of the renowned Château d'Issan, offering an approachable introduction to one of Margaux's most prestigious estates. Produced from carefully selected vineyard parcels in the exceptional 2016 Bordeaux vintage, this refined red showcases the appellation's signature balance of finesse, freshness, and aromatic complexity. Layers of blackcurrant, cherry, raspberry, plum, graphite, tobacco, and delicate floral notes are supported by silky tannins, vibrant acidity, and well-integrated oak from 14–16 months of barrel ageing. Already enjoyable with decanting, yet capable of further bottle development, Blason d'Issan 2016 is an outstanding choice for lovers of elegant Left Bank Bordeaux and pairs beautifully with roast lamb, beef tenderloin, duck, game, and mature cheeses.

James Suckling | JS 93
Published: Jan 17, 2019

Very pretty and finely formed with currant, cherry and raspberry character. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a long and fresh finish. Fine textured. Lovely second wine for d’Issan.

Decanter | D 91
Published: Dec 12, 2019
Drink: 2020-2034

The quality of this 2016 just shines out. It's full of plump fruit, with great balance and plenty of Margaux typicity - plump red and black berry fruits and high floral aromatics, an exemplary second wine. And from a yield of 55hl/ha; a great example of how (low) yields are not a necessary indicator of quality. Some menthol notes on the finish also, this is juicy and although you could drink now, it will develop further in bottle.

The Wine Advocate | RP 88
Published: Dec 1, 2018

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Blason d'Issan features cassis, plums and earth on the nose with an undercurrent of bay leaves and tobacco. The palate is medium to full-bodied, firm and grainy with good concentration and length.

Vivino | Vivino 4.1

Deep cherry crimson. Fresh, graphite with pure dark fruit. Lots of lead pencil on the palate and not at all leafy. Lovely purity and very silky, elegant tannins. Aromatic. Cool and fresh and elegant. Lightish but still has lovely scented length.

Chateau-issan.com

To select the best grapes from our Margaux appellation vineyards, the second wine, Blason d'Issan, was created in 1995. This wine is produced using a selection of specific vineyard plots, which, while respecting the identity of its terroir, offers a round, luscious fruit character that can be enjoyed earlier in life . Blason d'Issan is also aged in oak barrels for 14 to 16 months, 35% of which are new. Annual production is approximately 100,000 bottles.

- 2016 - 

An unparalleled summer
The Medoc vineyards “enjoyed” continuous rain from 1st January to the beginning of June! The drainage work carried out in 1995 on the Chateau d’Issan estate, makes it possible to regulate the amount of water irrigating each plot. The vines’ roots reach down very deep, which makes their water supply regular. The rain stopped in the first week of June and flowering was uniform and abundant.
Lasting sunshine began from 20th June onwards. The whole summer was dry and hot until 13th September, when heaven-sent rain brought much-needed water to the vines. 33 mm of rainfall covered the estate evenly, waking up the vines and kick-starting the ripening process.

The strength of the Château d’Issan estate 
85% of the vines that grow here are more than 25 years old. We noticed no stress from lack of water and the vines’ growth cycle was uninterrupted. Thanks to the water reserves contained in the soil that had built up during the first half of the year, the vineyard was ready for harvesting to start with no precipitation. The Indian summer that followed, the reliability of the weather forecasts and the substantial variation between daytime and night temperatures throughout September, peaking at a difference of 20°C, all enabled the grape tannins to ripen slowly step by step.

The harvest was very similar to that of 2010, but volumes were higher!
In 2016, picking began on 29th September and finished on 19th October. Yields were good, mainly as a result of good weather and short, even flowering. When the fruit was tasted on the vines, from the outset the vintage was recognised to be very promising without the grapes appearing overripe from the summer heat and drought.

2016 is a vintage with outstanding balance.