Château d'Issan 2021 is widely viewed as one of the stronger wines of the challenging 2021 Bordeaux vintage—more about finesse, perfume, and balance than sheer power. Critics consistently praised its elegance, floral aromatics, and classic Margaux character.
Professional ratings (2021 vintage)
| Critic / Publication |
Score |
| James Suckling |
95–96 barrel / 96 in bottle |
| Decanter |
94 |
| Jane Anson |
94 |
| Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate |
92 |
| Jeb Dunnuck |
92 |
| Vinous (Neal Martin) |
90 |
| Vinous (Antonio Galloni, barrel) |
90–92 |
What critics liked
- Elegant, fragrant Margaux profile — violets, roses, mint, black tea, red currant, and graphite notes appeared repeatedly in reviews.
- Precision over concentration — reviewers emphasized freshness, purity, and refined tannins rather than density or opulence.
- Strong balance in a difficult vintage — several critics noted d’Issan handled the cooler, uneven 2021 season especially well.
Decanter described it as “calm and delicate” with finesse and persistent fragrance, while Wine Advocate highlighted “wild berries, violets, fresh mint and pencil shavings.”
James Suckling was especially enthusiastic, calling it “very fine yet structured” with “wonderful tannins and length.”
Style profile
- Body: Medium-bodied
- Structure: Fine-grained tannins, fresh acidity
- Fruit: Red cherry, raspberry, currant
- Oak: Moderate and integrated (about 50% new oak)
- Overall feel: Classical and restrained rather than modern/extracted
The blend is approximately:
- 65% Cabernet Sauvignon
- 30% Merlot
- small amounts of Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot
Drink window
Most reviewers suggest:
- Start drinking: 2026–2028
- Peak: early-to-mid 2030s
- Potential longevity: to ~2040–2045
Berry Bros. & Rudd projects 2026–2042.
Collector and enthusiast sentiment
Among Bordeaux followers, the 2021 d’Issan is often considered:
- a successful “classic claret”
- less monumental than 2019 or 2020
- potentially attractive for drinkers who prefer aromatic elegance over richness
On Reddit wine communities, reactions to the en primeur tastings were generally positive but more restrained than the top critics’ scores, with some users viewing it as charming and balanced rather than profound.
