“This elegant, mid-weight Margaux is all class.” - Antonio Galloni of Vinous reviewing the Blason d’Issan
What is a “second wine” in Bordeaux, you ask?
A second wine quite literally means the wine made after the grand vin at each major château in Bordeaux, and in strong vintages like 2016 it can even be made with the same fruit that goes into the first wine.
The top properties in Bordeaux have two goals in mind when they produce a wine each vintage: control the quality and control the price. Too much wine can mean too much availability, which can sink the evaluation. Hence, in strong vintages like 2016 where there are extra grapes available, that leftover fruit will go into a second label.
For Margaux’s esteemed Château d’Issan, that second label is called Blason d’Issan and, as you can see in the reviews below (and from Galloni’s quote above), it holds its own as a finely-crafted Cabernet from the 2016 vintage. What stands out about the top wines of Margaux, and Château d’Issan as a producer, is the effortless elegance of the region’s best wines. There is a seamlessness and effortless grace that adorns these heady elixirs, and the 2016 Blason d’Issan has this quality in spades.
You could also try Château d’Issan’s **2016 grand vin for a side-by-side comparison, but that would run you $70+ per bottle. We’ll be the first to admit, the 2016 Château d’Issan is a more complete wine, but it’s also nowhere near its expected maturity. While you’re waiting for your 2016 d’Issan to evolve in your wine cellar, there’s the outstanding second wine to enjoy tonight: the 2016 Blason d’Issan, made from much of the same fruit, and tasting fantastic right now!
Get the grill fired up, decant a bottle tonight, and see what the fuss is all about. This wine already has almost 8 years of bottle age and is ready to go!
Blason d'Issan Margaux 2016 750ml $34.99
93 POINTS: JAMES SUCKLING - Very pretty and finely formed with currant, cherry and raspberry character. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a long and fresh finish. Fine textured. Lovely second wine for d’Issan.
89 POINTS: VINOUS - Two reviews: The 2016 Blason d’Issan has a rich, generous bouquet of ample blackberry, tar and light violet aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip, smooth tannin and plenty of tobacco-tinged black fruit that fans out nicely toward the sharp finish. A very capable second wine from d’Issan. -Neil Martin
The 2016 Blason d'Issan is a plump, forward second wine from Issan. Sweet tobacco, cedar, leather and licorice add character to this supple, fruity Margaux. Drink it over the next few years. -Antonio Galloni