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Red dry
A structured and highly precise red Bordeaux wine expressing the best qualities of the Margaux appellation. This vintage stands out as one of the most successful in the estate's history, perfectly balancing the typical firmness of Bordeaux with expressive fruitiness and high ratings from international wine critics.
The wine's aroma reveals accents of blackcurrants, blueberries, and ripe cherries. This profile is enriched by nuances of violets and lavender, as well as notes of licorice, tobacco, dark chocolate, and graphite. On the palate, the wine reveals a medium body, demonstrating exceptional flavor concentration. The juicy fruitiness is accompanied by vibrant, well-integrated acidity and silky-textured, fine tannins.
The 2020 vintage became a turning point for this estate – in order to expand the wine's architecture and aromatic palette, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc grapes were included in the main blend for the first time. The harvest from the historic Clos d'Issan plots was picked exclusively by hand. The wine was aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, half of which were entirely new.
Serve at a temperature of 16–18 °C. It is recommended to decant young wine before tasting (1–2 hours). Thanks to its classic structure, this wine pairs perfectly with beef steaks, lamb, game dishes, wild mushrooms, and aged hard cheeses.
Gorgeous aromas of dried flowers, currants, bark, and forest floor. Lead pencil, too. Tobacco. Full-bodied yet racy and polished with fine and silky tannins that run the length of the wine. Crunchy and fresh at the end. Give this five or six years to come together. Supple yet structured. It builds at the finish. Try after 2028.
Château d'Issan
"Château d'Issan" is a true aristocrat of the Bordeaux region, situated in the prestigious Margaux appellation. Awarded the highly esteemed "3ème Cru Classé" (Third Growth) status in the historic 1855 classification, this estate is renowned not only for the impeccable quality of its wines but also for having one of the oldest and most romantic histories in the entire region. Its elegance, longevity, and profound sense of terroir make "Château d'Issan" wines exceptionally sought after by collectors and admirers of classic winemaking worldwide.
A History Worthy of Kings
The history of the estate dates back to the 12th century. Legend has it that wine from this very château was served at the historic wedding of Eleanor of Aquitaine and the future King Henry II of England in 1152. It is no coincidence that the estate's gates and every bottle label proudly bear the Latin motto: "Regum mensis aris que deorum" ("For the tables of kings and the altars of the gods"). The renowned Cruse family has nurtured the estate since 1945. Today, it is led by Emmanuel Cruse, who, by joining forces with businessman Jacky Lorenzetti, has elevated the quality of "Château d'Issan" to unprecedented heights.
The Terroir of the Margaux Appellation
The vineyards of "Château d'Issan" stretch across an exceptional location—very close to the Gironde estuary. This body of water acts as a natural temperature regulator, creating a unique microclimate and protecting the vines from spring frosts. The soil is dominated by deep, well-draining gravel with intercalations of clay. These are the ideal conditions for the king of noble Bordeaux grape varieties, ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’, which accounts for about 65% of the vineyard area here. The remaining portion is dedicated to ‘Merlot’, which imparts roundness, softness, and body to the wine.
