2019 Château d’Issan - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux (3/28/2023)
– decanted 15 min. before initial taste on Day 1 –
– tasted non-blind over 2 - 3 hrs. on Day 1; revisited on Day 3 –
NOSE: DAY 1: very oaky; reserved red/purple fruit mix; faintly floral; buttery/garlicky Utz pub mix; transitioned to a more pure purple fruit profile around the 2 hr. mark. DAY 3: reserved/tight/closed; purple fruited; some smoldery oak.
BODY: medium bodied.
TASTE: DAY 1: oaky; pleasant savory note; very gentle tannins; acidity is adequate – juicy; despite being oaky, this is quite elegant, approachable, and moreish; strikes me as a good medium-term ager (15 - 25 years). Paired well with beef pot roast and root vegetables (carrots; parsnips; rutabaga; mushrooms). Needs time to come into focus, but there’s no harm in opening a bottle now to see what you’re working with. Gut impression score: 92 - 94.