Blason d'Issan, Margaux, 2023

The second wine of Chateau d'Issan, the storied 3rd Growth Margaux whose moated chateau is among the most photogenic in the Medoc. D'Issan has been in the Cruse family since 1945; in 2013, the Lorenzetti family acquired a 50 percent stake and now co-owns the estate, with Emmanuel Cruse continuing to run things day-to-day. Blason d'Issan, launched in 1995, draws from younger vines and parcels not destined for the grand vin, and offers the d'Issan signature, that polished, perfumed Margaux silkiness, in a more approachable, earlier-drinking format. 2023 is a fresh, classically proportioned Margaux vintage with lovely aromatic lift and supple structure, perfect for the role this wine plays.