Chateau Blason d'Issan Margaux 2005

Chateau Blason d'Issan Margaux 2005 is a 750ml Bordeaux red from the Margaux appellation, produced as the second wine of the esteemed Third Growth Château d'Issan. Sourced from the estate's younger vines and aged 14 to 16 months in oak barrels (one-third new), this 2005 carries an average critic score of 89 points on Wine-Searcher, underscoring the strength of a celebrated Left Bank vintage.

Quick Facts: ABV: Not disclosed for this vintage  |  Origin: Margaux, Bordeaux, France  |  Vintage: 2005  |  Estate: Château d'Issan (Troisième Grand Cru Classé, 1855 Classification)

Production & Heritage

Château d'Issan holds the rank of Third Growth in the landmark 1855 Bordeaux Classification and sits in the heart of the Margaux appellation. The estate introduced Blason d'Issan in 1995 as its dedicated second wine, drawing fruit from younger vineyard parcels planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. After vinification, the wine spends 14 to 16 months in oak barrels—roughly a third of which are new—before bottling, a regimen designed to preserve the fruit-forward character of the younger vines while respecting the identity of the terroir.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with lifted black cherry and red currant, followed by deeper layers of cocoa, anise, and cedar. A subtle earthiness rounds out the bouquet alongside traces of clove and sweet spice.

Taste: On the palate, dark cherry, blackberry, and ripe plum arrive in a generous wave. The mid-palate is silky and almost frictionless, displaying a gentle tannic structure that frames the fruit without overwhelming it. There is a measured balance between sweet, tangy fruit and savory undertones.

Finish: The finish is medium in length, tapering with soft echoes of black currant and cedar. A faint cocoa note lingers alongside fine-grained tannins that have had the benefit of nearly two decades of bottle age.

How to Drink Blason d'Issan 2005

At close to twenty years of age, this Margaux is best enjoyed at cellar temperature (60–65°F) in a large-bowled Bordeaux glass. Decanting for 30 to 60 minutes allows the aromatics to open fully and softens any remaining tannic grip. As a Bordeaux red, Blason d'Issan 2005 is a food wine by nature—pair it at the table rather than mixing it in cocktails.

Best For

• Exploring the depth of the outstanding 2005 Bordeaux vintage at a second-wine price point
• Gifting a Bordeaux collector looking for a mature, ready-to-drink Margaux
• Pairing with a special dinner featuring red meat or aged cheese courses
• Building vertical or horizontal tastings of Château d'Issan's second label across vintages

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Blason d'Issan 2005 taste like? It leads with dark cherry, blackberry, and plum, supported by cocoa and cedar notes, and carries a silky, smooth texture that reflects both the Margaux appellation and two decades of bottle maturation.

How does Blason d'Issan 2005 compare to the Grand Vin Château d'Issan 2005? Blason d'Issan is the estate's second wine, made from younger vines and intended for earlier drinking, so it shows rounder, more approachable fruit without the layered complexity and aging potential of the Grand Vin. The Grand Vin Château d'Issan 2005 typically commands significantly higher scores and a deeper concentration from older vine fruit and a longer barrel program.

Is Blason d'Issan 2005 good for drinking now? Yes—the 2005 vintage has had ample time to integrate its tannins, and the wine's second-wine structure means it was designed to be enjoyed sooner than the Grand Vin, making it an excellent candidate for current consumption with a short decant.

Where is Blason d'Issan made? Blason d'Issan is produced at Château d'Issan, located in the commune of Cantenac within the Margaux appellation on Bordeaux's Left Bank, France.

What foods pair well with Blason d'Issan 2005? Grilled lamb chops complement the wine's cedar and dark fruit; roast duck with cherry reduction mirrors its core berry notes; aged Comté or Gruyère cheese echoes the savory earthiness; beef tenderloin with peppercorn sauce matches the silky tannins; and mushroom risotto works with the wine's subtle earthy and cocoa undertones.

What sizes does Blason d'Issan come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format for this wine.

Is Blason d'Issan 2005 worth the price? Blason d'Issan positions as a mid-range Margaux that delivers Third Growth terroir expression at a fraction of the Grand Vin's cost, making it strong value for anyone seeking mature Bordeaux from a classified estate in a top vintage.

Why Blason d'Issan 2005?

This wine carries the prestige of a Troisième Grand Cru Classé estate in one of Bordeaux's most celebrated modern vintages. The 2005 growing season on the Left Bank produced deeply concentrated, structured wines, and even the second labels benefited from exceptional raw material. With nearly two decades of bottle age, Blason d'Issan 2005 has reached a drinking window where youthful fruit and resolved tannins coexist—a stage that many Bordeaux wines never arrive at on most consumers' shelves. For those who want genuine Margaux character from a classified property without the outlay of a Grand Vin, this bottle stands as a compelling point of entry.