CHATEAU D'ISSAN

Château d'Issan is a winery in the Margaux appellation of the Bordeaux region of France. Ch. d`Issan is a Third Growth Margaux property. Its richly aromatic and silky-textured Clarets are often amongst the best of the appellation.

The estate’s history dates back to the 1152 when the wine was officially served at the royal wedding of Eleanor of Aquitaine to King Henry II, the beginning of a special relationship between Bordeaux and England. The d’Essenault family owned the estate over five generations and rebuilt the existing château at the end of the 16th century. In 1945 the Cruse family – already established in the Médoc for more than 150 years – purchased the property. Today Emmanuel Cruse runs the estate with the Lorenzetti family. 

Vineyards, Terroir, and Winemaking

The 52-hectare vineyard of Chateau d’Issan is planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec. The vineyard has a terroir of gravel with clay and limestone soils on gentle, rolling, slopes. The vineyards of Chateau d’Issan are planted to a vine density of 9,000 vines per hectare with vines that are on average 35 years of age. 

To produce the wine of Chateau d’Issan, the wine is vinified parcel by parcel in temperature-controlled, stainless-steel vats. Malolactic fermentation is conducted in a combination of tank and barrel. The wine of Chateau d’Issan is aged in 50% new, French oak barrels for an average of 18 months before bottling.