This morning two of our favourite Margaux chateaux are out of the blocks. Margaux was one of the most successful appellations in 2015 and these both deserve a place in your cellar.
Ch d’Issan 3ème Grand Cru Classé Margaux 2015 | £420 IB
It is no secret that at Goedhuis & Co we adore this esteemed 3rd Growth Margaux Château, owned by Emmanuel Cruse. Every year we taste the wine with Emmanuel at the château, normally our first visit, and every year we come away singing the praises of the Grand Vin. The wine is absolutely delicious, a great success in one of the star appellations of the vintage and a top pick in 2015.
The perfume of this wine leaps out of the glass and is instantly exciting. On the palate it is concentrated, silky and perfectly balanced. This Issan is finesse personified. Emmanuel is extremely happy with the purity of the fruit and I couldn’t agree more.
This may well turn out to be one of the greatest Château d’Issan made in the modern era. Neal Martin, Score: 93-95
Deep, powerful and endowed with a real sense of explosive energy, the 2015 is bursting at the seams with personality. Antonio Galloni, 93-95
Ch Brane-Cantenac 2ème Cru Classé Margaux 2015 | £460 IB
Brane-Cantenac shone out at the UGC Margaux tasting this year. At an excellent release price of £460 per case this was selected as one of our top wines of the vintage, standing alongside first growths, at a fraction of their price. The Margaux commune enjoyed a wonderful growing season, and this Brane-Cantenac is a stupendous example of the silky, sinuous, perfumed style for which the appellation is so celebrated.
a pure pleasure bomb in 2015. Don’t miss it. 92-95 points Antonio Galloni
Really very elegant. Chapeau! 17.5 points Jancis Robinson
Ch d’Issan 3ème Grand Cru Classé Margaux 2015
£420 per 12 bottles IB
£430 per 6 magnums (150cl) IB
£170 per single double magnum (300cl) IB
The first 2015 that I tasted during the UGC week and what a lovely start. Shining crimson colour, full of damsons and sloes, the initial attack is packed with sweet juicy fruits. This high quality 2015 has a bold ripe tannic structure and a precise uplifting freshness at the end. Drink 2022-2034. Goedhuis, Score: 92-94
The 2015 Château d’Issan has a very pure and sensual bouquet that takes time to open up, eventually offering black cherries and blueberry, a marine influence tucked in just behind (a common thread throughout various vintages of d’Issan). The palate is underpinned by extraordinarily fine tannin that gently caress the mouth. The 55% new oak is beautifully embroidered throughout this wine from start to finish, which displays energy, real frisson in the mouth. This may well turn out to be one of the greatest Château d’Issan made in the modern era. Neal Martin, Score: 93-95
The 2015 d’Issan is a striking Margaux. Next to so many other wines of the appellation that are much more opulent, the d’Issan presents a much more feral, savory profile. Smoke, tobacco, leather, cedar, white pepper and game are some of the signatures. Deep, powerful and endowed with a real sense of explosive energy, the 2015 is bursting at the seams with personality. D’Issan is less showy and opulent than most Margauxs and yet it is also super-distinctive. Antonio Galloni, 93-95
Ch Brane-Cantenac 2ème Grand Cru Classé Margaux 2015
£460 per 12 bottles IB
£470 per 6 magnums (150cl) IB
£184 per single double magnum (300cl) IB
At the Union des Grands Crus tasting of Margaux wines, this was the standout wine. A striking glossy purple colour, this is a beautifully aromatic style, with violets, jasmine and red summer fruits. A wine highlighting the elegance and finesse that all top Margauxs should have. Beautifully poised, with a lively, classy finish. Drink 2022-2037 94-96 points Goedhuis
Exceptionally deep crimson. Meat and wild flowers on the nose – very interesting. Definitely out of the ordinary. Left-field wine that should not disappoint. Racy and lifted. Really very elegant. Chapeau! 17.5 points Jancis Robinson
A super-expressive, deep wine, the 2015 Brane-Cantenac possesses magnificent intensity and pure power from start to finish. Dark red cherry, wild flowers, smoke, plum, tobacco, spice and game are some of the notes that build as the wine gains richness and volume with time in the glass. There is plenty of tannin lurking beneath, but it is nearly buried by the sheer opulence of the fruit, while the creamy finish alone is striking. This is a deeply satisfying wine from Henri Lurton. Brane-Cantenac is another wine that is a pure pleasure bomb in 2015. Don’t miss it. 92-95 points Antonio Galloni
