Issan 2000

Fully mature, the 2000 D'Issan is a quintessentially elegant, yet concentrated, aristocratic Margaux that defines the appellation. The wine has a dark ruby/purple color just beginning to lighten at the edge. Notes of charcoal, acacia flowers, black raspberries, and blue fruits are followed by a medium to full-bodied wine that builds incrementally on the palate. With its outstanding purity, richness, elegance and length, this is a beauty that has reached its window of maturity, where it should stay for another 15 or more years.

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.

A suave, aristocratic, classic built on delicacy and finesse as opposed to power and blockbuster fruit, the 2000 requires introspection, but what one finds is extremely rewarding. This graceful, symmetrical, refined effort displays a dark ruby/purple color in addition to a sweet perfume of white flowers intermixed with black currants, licorice, and subtle new oak. Medium-bodied, with sweet but noticeable tannin, and a dense finish that builds gradually and persistently, it appears to be the finest d'Issan produced in over four decades. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2022.