Château d'Issan Margaux Grand Cru Classé 2022 / 14.5% / 0.75 L

Château d’Issan is one of the most romantic and historic sites in Margaux: a medieval, moat-surrounded castle located in the heart of the appellation, with vineyards enclosed by walls built in 1644.According to the chronicle, wine from this estate was served in 1152 at the wedding of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry Plantagenet, and over the centuries, successive connoisseurs and rulers cemented the estate’s reputation.Today, the estate is managed by the Cruse family (led by Emmanuel Cruse) and Jacky Lorenzetti, since 2013.co-owner; this partnership brought new energy, investments in selective winemaking, and the expansion of the vineyard beyond the former “clos”.The Issan landscape is classic Margaux: deep gravel with traces of clay, which give the wines a touch of finesse, floral notes, and silky tannins, while the château itself—with its gate, towers, and moat—is a living symbol of the estate’s continuity.

The 2022 vintage was produced during a hot, challenging summer that yielded surprisingly fresh, concentrated fruit on the left bank.At Château d’Issan, this resulted in a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot.The wine aged in barrels for about.16–18 months, half of which is spent in new French oak barriques.The result is a Margaux with a full yet lively structure, excellent tension, and a long, chalky-floral finish—a classic from the house, presented in a modern, precise style.

Appearance: a deep, lustrous ruby color with violet highlights at the rim.

Aroma: ripe black currant and blackberry intertwine with violet petals, orange zest, cedar, and a hint of freshly crushed graphite; in the background, a pinch of anise, toasted herbs, and cocoa.

Taste: medium-bodied to full-bodied, with a very clean, sweet and juicy fruit core, fine-grained, chalky tannins, and a long, lively finish with hints of black currant, cedar, and dried violet; a superb balance between ripeness and freshness.

Culinary Pairings: classic roast saddle of lamb with rosemary, beef tenderloin with green pepper sauce, guinea fowl or duck with black currant glaze; vegetable options—roasted eggplant with miso, wild mushroom gratin, and aged cheeses such as Comté or Gruyère.