Tasting note

A cuvée of about three quarters Cabernet Sauvignon and one quarter Merlot. From a rather unappreciated Bordeaux vintage 2013 with somewhat lighter wines, not all of which will have a long life.

The colour of this wine is youthful. An opaque deep dark red with purple highlights. In the glass it draws thick streaks.

An elegant bouquet with a very light floral touch and a distinct but soft cherry fruit. Reminiscent of cherry yogurt. I like it! A vanilla spice is there, but also subtle. With a hint of mint in the background. Smoke was initially present after opening, but this quickly dissipated, allowing the fruit to predominate.

The tannins are velvety. The mouthfeel is really soft and approachable. The acidity is restrained. On the palate, the dark fruit again predominates. With more time in the glass, this does not change much.

Although the wine seems rather soft, the finish is long and dry.

Overall, the 2013 is an approachable Château d’Issan. The wine is elegant, but has only few edges at this stage, which some may miss. Nevertheless, I liked it very much: Sometimes a red wine is a lot of fun even if it is not the most complex. It’ll be interesting to see whether more cellaring can bring out some tertiary notes into the mix.

Drink through 2030.

Tasted by Dominik Müller on Wednesday, 5 April 2023.