Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Blason d’Issan – Margaux 2010
Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
Second wine of Château d’Issan (a 3rd Growth Grand Cru Classé), this Margaux reflects the finesse and elegance of its prestigious sibling at a more approachable level. The 2010 vintage is composed of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon and 41% Merlot, delivering structure, freshness, and the signature grace of the appellation.

Aromas & Flavors
Dark red fruits, cassis, and plum supported by notes of cedar, graphite, and dried violets. Subtle earthy undertones round out the bouquet.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with silky tannins, still carrying freshness and vibrancy. The fruit remains integrated with a polished balance, showing that the wine has aged beautifully without losing Margaux’s hallmark delicacy.

Food Pairing
Perfect alongside roasted lamb, duck breast, or a classic beef tenderloin. Its elegance also pairs nicely with mushroom risotto or aged Comté.

The Verdict
A graceful, approachable Bordeaux that demonstrates how even the second labels from Margaux can age impressively. Still drinking beautifully today, with finesse and balance that embody the spirit of Margaux.

Personal Pick Highlight
One of my favorite “second labels” from Bordeaux — proof that patience rewards, as this bottle aged with remarkable elegance and still charms after more than a decade. Also, the 2010 vintage, a benchmark year in Bordeaux, lends added structure and longevity. Cheers! — 9 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Another solid vintage of this Bordeaux Blend. This vintage’s grape breakdown: Merlot (59%), Malbec (28%) and Cabernet Franc (13%). Light garnet color. Very faint on the nose. Hint of black fruit. Pallet is more vibrant with notes of black berry/currant, mushroom, dark chocolate and tomato leaf. Medium bodied and chewy tannins. Consistently good. Thanks for the bottle, Kase. — 3 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.3

fully opaque violet, magenta rim, prominent tears; plum, black cherry, dark chocolate, coffee, leather, and cedar; dense, concentrated, juicy dark fruit, good length; full bodied, medium acidity, gritty tannins, no heat despite 15.3% ABV; made from blend of 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, and 9% Petit Verdot sourced from two estate vineyards with 59% of fruit from Les Pavots vineyard in Knights Valley in Sonoma County and 41% of fruit from Au Paradis vineyard in Oakville, aged 18% in French oak; a very nice fruit forward, early drinking second wine; $110 — 6 years ago

donat agosti

9.2

Slightly peppery.  59 % carignan, 23 % syrah et 18 % grenache noir — 6 years ago

barak heller hayun

9.0

very interesting!

asking around for a recommendation for interesting cheap wine for accompanying a family meal, this red blend was advised.

60% Cabernet sauvignon
30% syrah
5% petit verdot
5% cabarnet franc

1 year in french oak barrels.

15% ABV

strong red 👀

a bit of funk and grass first, followed by cooked black fruit and some ripe red fruit with added black pepper and vanilla👃

full body.
high acidity.
low tannins

silky mix of ripe black and red fruit with tartness and sweet oak spices with some greeness and dirt on the background👄

long pleasent 🎯

intresting and well made.
excelent vfm (59 nis).

at the meal there was a choice of ouscous and rice (separately) with vegetables, chard and beans or salmon with thick and spicy pepper and 🍅 sauce.

the wine got along with them, even with the spicy fish.
but it wasn't a match made in heaven. — 6 years ago

Ryan Donnelly

8.9

Light scent but heavy cab dark fruit. I liked — 7 years ago

with Megan

Daniel P. Drake

9.2

On this Saturday night I have opened the 2014 Réserve De La Comtesse. 59% Cabernet Sauvignon and 41% Merlot the second wine from Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de la Lalande.

On the nose there is sumptuous dark fruit, blackberry, black cherry, black currant, stewed plums, chocolate, a bit of meatiness and tar.

On the palate the dark fruit continues with blackberry, black cherry, black currant, licorice, cedar, smoky oak, mocha and an earthiness.

This wine has a velvety mouth feel an is medium to full bodied with medium + acidity and medium + fine rounded tannin that leads to a delicious lingering finish. Stay safe and continued enjoyable weekend. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 8 years ago

Monique Gillioen

9.2

€59 Casa Lily — 2 years ago

Brent Young

9.5

This is Manzanilla Pasada La Bota No 90 Capataz Cabo

Pouring a glass with the Vinloq System
DAY 1
👃Iodine, seawater, a touch of oxidation, and salty minerality
👅Brine leads the way with iodine, nuts, herbal notes, and other flavors that are hard to pin down but are enjoyable.
These flavors lead to some bitterness before the very long and enjoyable finish. This is full bodied and amazing

The remaining wine was Slow Decanted in my refrigerator

I returned to this wine multiple times over the following weeks. My experience was similar each time

DAY 20
Same aromas, flavors and intensities as day 1. So rich and resonant. The finish is deep, mineral laced, seawater, nuts & herbals. No signs of fruit. Extremely long finish

That a sherry aged under biologically active flora stays fresh for days & weeks is not surprising. But I still protect them because it is not a wine that I prefer in large servings. Rather, I enjoy a small glass frequently. They are super food friendly and a perfect match with many foods including aged cheeses, cured hams, and even sushi. Also superb in the correct cocktail

This was a total delight over 4-5 weeks 💕 — 3 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.3

2018 vintage. This estate was bought by Jacky Lorenzetti in 2007 and the investments are paying off (see also the spectacular quality improvement at their Pauillac estate Pédesclaux). While previous vintages featured a majority of Merlot, this 2018 is a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37%. Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. This might very well be the best vintage to date for Lilian Ladouys in a year where Jacky's daughter Manon joined the business. She is highly devoted to organic farming and the Lorenzetti estates are now officially in conversion to organic. Moreover, Lilian Ladouys was promoted to "Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel" status in 2020. An estate to watch and the wines are very affordable too at around 20 euros. Classic nose with ripe cassis and cedar wood, intertwined with a fresh minty aroma. In the mouth the fruit is concentrated and layered with amazing freshness and a solid ripe tannin structure that make the alcohol (abv. 14,5%) go unnoticed. Long mineral finish. Highly recommended. Still very young, give it time to open up or decant. Should age beautifully for at least 15 years. — 5 years ago

Jay Eagan

9.2

2007 was terrific on Pritchard Hill and this is a great example. Black currant dominates the front end and the tannins are still massive through a 20 second finish. Best of all Spago is open for grab&go so if you live in LA support one of the great restaurants - spectacular 4 course for $59 (++)! Plus they gave us an additional pizza. That’s what I call quarantine! Stay safe all — 6 years ago

with Kristine

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

I found this ‘16 and gave it a try. A blend of 59% Grenache, 32% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre, 3% Counoise & 1% Vaccarèse, aromas of intense berry fruits and complex spice. On the palate cherry and blackberry flavors with cedar and vanilla, well balanced. Fine soft tannins, lingering, complex depth, ending with elegant fruit and spice. — 6 years ago

Andy Tam

9.0

Effervescence blossoming and slight sweetness and round. Paired with Fuji apples — 7 years ago

edward Simpson

9.0

Awesome pommerol, all the berries and more...given by M and C 59 Mitchell Wine — 8 years ago

Ron R

9.5

Outstanding example of Cali Pinot. Even more so since this is 2012 vintage. Overripe cherries and coffee notes explode on the nose. The palate displays crunchy black fruits along with syrop de cassis. Superb grainy tannins combine with bright acidity. A reference point in Sonoma/Cali.

Here are my top 2023 tastings by type. Let me know what your favorites are…

2023 Wines of my Year
Sauvignon Blanc - Modus Operandi (2021) - $45
Chablis - Domaine Genot-Boulanger Puligny Montrachet (2020) - $85
Chardonnay - Kongsgaard (2020) - $120
Pinot - Aston Estate (2012) - $70
Cabernet - Sinegal (2019) - $75 &
Cabernet - Lewelling (2019) - $59 — 3 years ago

with Anne-marie

Mike Saviage

9.6

Tasted blind. Tawny color with light rims. Old wine nose. Notes of raspberry, cola, old cedar desk, some tobacco and a little menthol. Rich and long in the mouth. Lighter than the 59 next to it. Also tighter, but opens up over the evening. Really good but not as good as the 59. — 4 years ago

Greg Gratson

8.9

Nice, not as nice as the other wsj club French Chardonnay — 6 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.7

Tasted blind from magnum. Dark regal red and almost opaque. Notes of black cherries, roasted meat, gravel, old leather and earth. Great old Bordeaux nose matches in the mouth. Silky and smooth. Guessed 59 Mouton. — 6 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Dark ruby/ Inky in color with a short reddish rim.

Great nose of blueberries, blackberries, black currants, cooked cherries, dried fruits, cedar, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, cola and black pepper.

Full bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, spices, dark chocolates, earth, coffee, light vegetables, pencil lead and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a great Cabernet Sauvignon based blend from Napa Valley. Showing nice complexity with a great mouthfeel.

Good by itself or with food. Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up ( 30 minutes).

Still young and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly, but already delicious. I would love to revisit this in 5 years.

A great sipping wine to have all by itself. Tasty, tangy and delicious. powerful, yet elegant.

A blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Cabernet Franc and 4% Syrah. Fermented in (50%) New French Oak barrels. A small production of only 45 cases.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$59. — 7 years ago

Michael gayle

9.0

55 degrees and then decanter for 2 hours. Not 1:59 minutes. 2 hours. It will be worth the wait. — 8 years ago