2018 Chateau d'Issan, Margaux, France, 750mL, (96 points)

The 2018 Château d’Issan is a structured and elegantly layered Margaux, blending 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. Deep blackberry, plum, cassis, and raspberry aromas intertwine with cocoa, tobacco, spice, and graphite, creating a complex and expressive bouquet. Medium to full-bodied, it showcases firm, silky tannins, vibrant acidity, and a mineral-driven precision, with a refined balance of freshness and power. Aged 18 months in 50% new oak, this wine is rich, brooding, and built for the long haul, promising decades of evolution while maintaining its seamless elegance and depth.