2020 Blason d'Issan

The 2020 Blason d'Issan has opened up nicely on the nose since I tasted this in barrel. It displays a mixture of red and black fruit, pencil box, vanilla pod and just a hint of Indian ink. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, maybe just a bit of rusticity here with quite a peppery finish. This will just need a year to smooth its edges.

The 2020 Blason d'Issan is a tasty, juicy Margaux to drink now and over the next handful of years, while the fruit remains vibrant.

Plenty of character and punch, with evident tannins, serious in style softened by autumnal fruits, espresso and black chocolate. Less exuberant in its aromatic structure than the 2019 vintage of this wine, a more classic take on Blason d'Issan, with grip and poise, showing undergrowth and grilled sandalwood on the finish. Eric Boissenot consultant. They have begun a programme of massal selection from their oldest (1948) Petit Verdot vines that arrived with the purchase of neighbouring Château Pontac Lynch, to be planted in the main walled vineyard known as L'Enclos. Harvest September 17 to October 2, 38.5hl/ha yield.