2005 Blason d'Issan

Troisième Cru Classé. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. The first known reference to Issan dates back to the 12th Century, when Guyenne was occupied by the English. At the beginning of the last century, the great name of Issan went into decline, until the Cruse family bought it in 1945. Blason d’Issan, the second wine, is made from a blend of grapes from both younger and older vines to make a more approachable Margaux for slightly earlier drinking. Deeply coloured as befits the vintage. Intense pure dark fruit melded with restrained oak spice. Juicy but dense and lots of fine, firm tannin. Smooth and showing well now though still a way to go. (JH)

The sexy second wine of this estate, the 2005 Blason D’Issan, has a surprisingly saturated, ruby/plum/purple color, wonderful sweet black cherry and blackcurrant fruit, silky tannins, medium body and outstanding concentration, richness and length. This is a serious second wine that has attained full maturity, where it should hold for another 7-10 years. This is a major sleeper of the vintage. Jun 2015, www.robertparker.com