Château d'Issan - Margaux 2022

Chateau d’Issan is one of the oldest wine-producing properties in the Medoc as well as in all of Bordeaux. In 1152, the wine produced by what we know of as Chateau d’Issan today was served for the royal wedding between Eleanor of Aquitaine and King Henri II. At the time, the estate was known as Chateau Lamothe Cantenac.

Chateau d’Issan remains one of the most picturesque estates in the area. With its moats, drawbridge and courtyard, Chateau d’Issan looks like a beautiful castle out of a fairy tale. It is well worth your time to visit. Chateau d’Issan truly is one of the most beautiful properties in all of Bordeaux.

The current high level of quality at Chateau d’Issan can be traced back to 1998. That is the year Emmanuel Cruse took over the job of managing the Left Bank property. Since 1998, Emmanuel Cruse has slowly but surely turned Chateau d’Issan into one of the top estates in the Margaux appellation.

There is a specific freshness that is associated with the wines of Château d’Issan and the gorgeous, femininely floral traits synonymous with a Margaux. Their wines are elegant, and a bit more restrained with medium body and not too heavy tannins. 

"This is really luxurious, showing blackcurrants and orange peel with cedar and dried-mushroom aromas following through to a medium to full body that grows on the palate. This has crunchy and lightly chewy tannins that are slightly austere but in an elegant, classical Bordeaux way. Chewy at the end. So much energy and vibe. So complex. Probably the greatest wine ever from here. A blend of 65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 2% cabernet franc, 2% malbec and 1% petit verdot. Best after 2028 but already a joy to taste." - 98 Points, James Suckling

"The deep ruby/purple-hued 2022 Château D'Issan is rock star stuff, offering a massive array of red and black fruits, spring flowers, violets, smoky tobacco, and a beautiful sense of minerality. This full-bodied, powerful, concentrated Issan has a layered, seamless mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. The alcohol here is 14.6% and the pH is a solid 3.6. Give bottles 4-5 years if you can, and it will evolve gracefully over the following three decades." - 96 Points, Jeb Dunnuck

Producer: Château d'Issan

Country: France

Region: Bordeaux

Varietal: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon

Appellation: Margaux

Vintage: 2022

Size: 750ml