2016 CHÂTEAU D'ISSAN 3ème Cru Classé Margaux, Lea & Sandeman

CHÂTEAU D'ISSAN

2025 3ème Cru Classé Margaux

Grapes Petit Verdot, Merlot, Cab Franc, Cab Sauv, Malbec
Colour Red
Origin France, Bordeaux
Sub-district Haut Médoc
Village Margaux
Classification 3ème Cru Classé
ABV 13.5%

Vivid plum colours, as is so often the case in this vintage, and although this is a little less luscious right now than the Blason, it is packed with promise, and the austerity of a wine that is constructed with a future in mind. Rose buds, cassis, damson are fairly discreet at first, and then unroll in layers with slate, woodsmoke and cold ash. 3.63pH. Harvest September 11 to 23. 50% new oak. Rating: 95 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (Apr 2026)


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The 2025 Château d'Issan was picked from September 11 to 18 and is matured in 50% new oak. This has a quite beguiling bouquet, very pure blackberry and wild strawberry fruit, hints of cassis, replete with Margaux's violet signature. The oak is neatly integrated (50%). The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, plenty of tension and commendable minéralité. There is a transparency to this d'Issan that I really admire and it embodies the classicism that the season offered on the finish. One of the finest vintages in recent years and, hopefully, it will represent good value upon release. Drinking range: 2032 - 2058 Rating: 93-95 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2026)

Violets and iris notes on the nose. Supple and succulent with a drop of sweet strawberries balanced against quite fresh blackcurrants, liquorice and cola. I love the texture – streamlined, focused, detailed, so smooth and sophisticated. Maybe a more dark profile than recent vintages but feels so well constructed with a firm frame and cool drive from start to finish. It has layers, this isn’t lacking in any power or muscle but it doesn’t have any heaviness or chew and in that respect it gives a lot of wine without much weight at all. Grippy, fun, interesting, captivating and so easy to drink. Potential upscore in bottle. 2% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc complete the blend. 3.63pH. A yield of 29hl/ha. Drinking range: 2032 - 2047 Rating: 95 Georgie Hindle - Decanter (Apr 2026)

The 2025 d'Issan is fabulous. Inky and racy to the core, the 2025 Issan has so much to offer. Crème de cassis, menthol, licorice, cloves, gravel and mocha all meld together in the glass. Sumptuous and seamless with exceptional balance, the 2025 is a real stunner. This is an especially dense d'Issan that reflects the intensity of the year. Tasted two times. Drinking range: 2040 - 2075 Rating: 94-96 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)

Château d'Issan

Margaux Troisième cru 1855 When Pierre l'Essenault inherited what became Château d'Issan through his marriage in the mid-17th Century, he knocked down the old castle that stood on the site and built the present château. He also gave it its name, these days somewhat abridged. During the 18th Century, part of the estate was divided away and became today's Château Palmer. In 1945, Château d'Issan was bought by Emmanuel Cruse who bought a run-down estate, ravaged by Depression and War with only 2ha of working vineyard. The vineyards now occupy 53ha, planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot. Wines typically spend 18 months in wood. In 2013 Jacky Lorenzetti, who owns Lilian Ladouys, bought 50% of d'Issan to become co-owner with the Cruse family. Château d'Issan is among the fullest and richest Margaux's, a facet which sometimes in the past has suggested a lack of charm. Indeed, the Cruse family's care and attention to d'Issan has taken many years to bear fruit, with the wines only returning to top-flight quality in the latter years of the 20th Century. They are now among the better wines in the appellation and well worth their 3rd Growth status. There is a second wine at Château d'Issan called Blason d'Issan. Château d'Issan also includes some vines which fall outside the Margaux appellation - Château de Candale, Haut-Médoc and Moulin d'Issan, Bordeaux Supérieur.

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