Chateau d'Issan Margaux 2020 Grand Cru Classe

About This Wine

Crowned as James Suckling's top-ranked wine in his celebrated 2025 Top 100 list.

The 2020 vintage of Château d'Issan is widely regarded as a standout, with many critics calling it one of the finest produced by the estate. The growing season was characterized by a mild, warm winter, an early budding, and a particularly sunny and mild spring, which led to a rapid flowering. While the end of spring saw some rain, a hot, dry July slowed the vine's development. An ideal late season with a beneficial thermal amplitude allowed the grapes to achieve optimal ripeness and balance.

This vintage is notable for a new, more complex blend, as it was the first time the château incorporated all five Bordeaux grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. The result is a wine praised for its elegance, freshness, and purity. On the palate, it's often described as creamy, deep, and refined, with flavors of ripe, sweet red and black fruits, floral notes (violets, lilacs), and hints of spice, licorice, and cocoa. The tannins are typically soft, silky, and well-integrated, providing structure and a long, vibrant finish. While approachable, this is a vintage with excellent aging potential.

Score

97 points, James Suckling.