“A standout wine… easily one of the best of the Margaux lineup.” – Decanter

Bon chance, Ops! Today’s a good Appy Friday!

Sit tight Château Margaux, we’re coming for ya. Over the years, we have featured Médoc every other of the five First Growths, plus Cheval Blanc and even Pétrus have graced Wine Spies before.

Yet Château Margaux, and its namesake appellation Margaux remain elusive, as the ultimate prize of Bordeaux’s finest. And Issan sits high atop that food chain within, right alongside other greats of this dreamy neighborhood. Palmer, Rauzan-Ségla, and Malescot St. Exupéry have all represented Margaux on Wine Spies before, it was about time we visited the mythical world of Château d’Issan.

This fairy tale castle with vineyards sandwiched between Château Margaux and Palmer is an insider’s gem that is historically credited to be an integral part of the very beginnings of Bordeaux’s wine history. It was in 1152 (let that 873 years ago part sink in for a little bit) that the very wine from this land was the chosen one for the royal and holy matrimony of Eleanor of Aquitaine with King Henri II, conjugation France and Britain in such a profound way that it continues to define Bordeaux and her wines.

Fast forward to 2011, to a vintage often under the shadow of the glorious pair preceding it, things were just right at d’Issan to create a timeless classic. At its youth, it may have been a tad harder to appreciate than the fuller, richer, bigger vintages surrounding it, but over time, this 2011 has morphed into a claret that has stood the test of time. With a graceful 14 years of maturity, it drinks like silk today.

A recent Decanter Bordeaux 2011 spotlight points out that “One thing that is always true when checking in on wine at its 10 years old stage is that you want to find out not just whether a wine is good, but whether it’s ready to drink and how much longer it will age. Long-ageing vintages are still powerfully structured at the 10-year window, while vintages that should be drunk younger showcase finesse at this point. You’ll find plenty of it here - along with austere tannins and savoury rather than overripe fruit.”

Oh, and in that same article, only First Growths, Lynch Bages, and La Mission Haut-Brion outranked it.

Indeed, this oozes with still fresh red fruits backed by nuances of dried cherry, plummy undertones, and a bouquet of spring blossoms. The finish rings of the classiest wines of the entire world. A gentle touch but complex as can be, it’s a subtle showstopper that transcends not just the intellect but the soul too.

Did we say it’s a US exclusive, and a top Margaux with heritage to spare at a mere $75 today?!

You could spend $500+ on a Château Margaux that rated just 1 point higher in 2011, or STEAL this gem.

The choice, as always, is yours.

95 Points – Decanter “This standout wine is great, easily one of the best of the Margaux lineup. It has concentration and that sense of 2011 savoury, almost dry fruit but it is balanced by juice and a sense of energy. Great feeling of Margaux character with touches of florality. 57% of production in the first wine. Here, the high aromatics punch right out of the glass. It’s great quality, with juiciness but also a sense of restraint to the undoubtedly exuberant black fruits. A sense of freshness and fun runs through it, and it will be great with food because of the pretty high acidity. A liquorice edge and a saline kick to the finish make it extremely mouthwatering. There’s plenty to grab hold of here, and the vintage allows for an Issan that’s approachable earlier than usual, and wine lovers should make the most of it. Drink 2021-2040.”