Stylish nose, feels polished and poised. A svelte style with satiny tannins and such depth of flavour - intense but nuanced with perfumed edges and red and black cherry flavours. You feel the sculpting of the fruit, there are layers of flavour and with good support round the edges and softly chewy tannins. Such a long finish too, really goes on and on. I love it, you get the power without doubt but it's very neatly packaged right now with a smoothness and clarity that's impressive. (GH)

The bigger, more structured Margaux have closed down over ageing, as is the case here with Issan - less exuberant than during En Primeur, but showing concentration, controlled power and beautiful cassis and bilberry fruits. Skilful and deft weaving together of tannins and fresh acidities to cradle the fruit, with a voluptuous creamy mid palate as it opens. Impressive depths, decades of life ahead. 50% new oak, 45% of overall production. Harvest September 25 to October 11.

Pure cassis, graphite, violets, damp earth, and chocolate notes all emerge from the 2019 Château D'Issan, a richer, medium to full-bodied, powerful Margaux. It develops a gorgeous sense of minerality with time in the glass, has plenty of mid-palate oomph, integrated oak, and just terrific overall balance. It's a stunning success in the vintage in Margaux, which was one of the more challenging in the vintage. This will round into form with just 4-5 years of bottle age and cruise for two decades or more. Bravo.