90 points CellarTracker (Community Consensus)

A classical, fully mature Margaux from a notoriously tannic Left Bank vintage that has softened beautifully with time. Showing surprisingly good freshness and balance for its age, the nose opens with aromas of dried red cherry, pomegranate skin, cedar, cold pipe tobacco, and damp limestone. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and fully resolved, showing “notes of spice, tobacco, mineral and a little vague red fruit holding it all together in the background.” CellarTracker, March 2026

87 points Wine Spectator

Showing a traditional, lean profile typical of the 1986 campaign’s firm tannic frame. Offers subtle, tertiary nuances of dried cranberry, woodsmoke, and autumn leaves, ending with a dry, mineral-driven finish that reflects old-school Margaux character. James Suckling, May 1989

Cult Wines International Notes:

Château d’Issan stands as an iconic 3rd Growth (Troisième Grand Cru Classé) situated in the heart of the Margaux appellation, boasting one of the most storied histories in all of Bordeaux. With a heritage dating back to the 12th century—when its wine was famously served at the wedding of Eleanor of Aquitaine and King Henry II—the estate is renowned for its stunning, moated 17th-century castle and its pristine, walled vineyard enclosure (l’Enclos). Possessing a unique terroir composed of deep surface gravel over a cool clay subsoil, Château d’Issan consistently produces quintessential Margaux, celebrated worldwide for its aristocratic elegance, silky texture, and distinctive floral perfume.

The 1986 growing season across Bordeaux’s Left Bank is legendary for producing exceptionally long-lived, powerfully tannic, and structurally formidable Cabernet Sauvignons. Following a cold winter and a late spring, a hot, dry summer set in, leading into a sunny September that permitted slow, late-season ripening. The 1986 harvest demanded patience and strict cellar work to handle the thick, tannic skins produced by the vintage. At d’Issan, the fruit was manually harvested and vinified parcel-by-parcel in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats before aging in traditional French oak barriques, resulting in a classic assembly dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon supported by Merlot.

At four decades of age, the 1986 Château d’Issan has reached a fully evolved, serene library stage. The firm, muscular tannic backbone of its youth has completely relaxed, revealing an authentic bouquet of dried dark cherries, cigar wrapper, dried forest leaves, pencil lead, and a touch of crushed dried violets. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied and refined, carried by a fine, powdery texture and a lingering vein of dusty mineral acidity. This rare, fully mature bottling provides a wonderful snapshot of classical, old-world Left Bank history for lovers of cellared Margaux.