Château d'Issan Margaux 2020 / 13% / 0.75 L

Château d’Issan is one of the most picturesque estates in Margaux, with a history dating back to the 12th century.The first references to this vineyard date back to 1152, when its wine was served at the wedding of Eleanor of Aquitaine and King Henry II Plantagenet of England.For centuries, wine from Château d’Issan has been regarded as an exceptionally aristocratic beverage, served at royal and imperial courts.With its moat, Gothic gates, and romantic architecture, this château is one of the most fairy-tale-like places in the entire Médoc, and at the same time one of the historic “Grand Cru Classé 1855” estates, which underscores its prestige.

The Château d’Issan vineyards are located in the heart of the Margaux appellation and cover approximately 44 hectares.The soils here consist mainly of gravel and clay, which provide ideal conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the dominant varieties in the local vineyards.Margaux is renowned for the finesse, elegance, and aromatic richness of its wines, and the Issan terroir perfectly captures these qualities—the balanced blend of Cabernet and Merlot gives the wines a noble structure and, at the same time, a velvety smoothness.An interesting fact is that the estate changed hands over the centuries—its owners included aristocrats, merchants, and the Roy family, who helped restore the château to its former glory in the 19th century.Today, the estate remains in the hands of the Cruse family, who strive to preserve tradition while also investing in modern winemaking techniques.

Château d’Issan Margaux 2020 is a vintage produced during one of the most challenging yet fascinating growing seasons of recent years.The 2020 vintage in Bordeaux was marked by a hot summer and exceptional fruit concentration, which resulted in a wine that is exceptionally deep yet full of elegance.It aged for about 18 months in French oak barrels, about half of which were new—which helped maintain a balance between the purity of the fruit and a subtle oak note.

Appearance: a deep, intense ruby color with violet highlights, indicative of the wine’s youth and richness.

Aroma: a complex bouquet with black fruits—blackberries, black currants, and plums—at the forefront, complemented by notes of violets, cedar, tobacco, and a delicate spiciness from the oak.

Taste: elegant yet full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a beautiful structure.Fruity notes blend with subtle hints of chocolate, licorice, and graphite, and the long finish leaves an impression of freshness and finesse typical of Margaux.

Food pairings: It pairs perfectly with rosemary-roasted lamb, roast duck, venison in wine sauce, and aged cheeses, especially Comté and Gruyère.