2021 Issan

Dark and deep on the nose, seductive, that beautiful Margaux glamour and elegance - it's completely captivating with hints of violet and rose too after a few minutes. So succulent and juicy on the palate, the tannins are silky, barely present in terms of overt texture but they do give support so you get a great mouthfeel here. The definition is excellent, a real precision of fruit with richness and energy, these beautiful redcurrant, raspberry, blackcurrant and black cherry flavours. It's bright and almost lightly framed, gliding across the palate giving bright fruit with some soft perfume. It grows on the palate, at first being quite light and pleasant then deeping and becoming more refined with different elements coming on show. Well extracted with the aromatics taking centre stage instead of overt power or tannic interference. A joy to drink! 2% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot complete the blend. 3.60pH. Slightly more Cabernet in the blend this year. 45% grand vin, 55% second wine. Georgina Hindle Decanter 93 Points

Château d'Issan, the soul of a great Margaux Château d’Issan is primarily the story of a legacy handed down from generation to generation and the rekindling of the quest for excellence at every transmission. During the French Revolution, the Foix de Candale family had to abandon the estate. In 1824, Jean-Baptiste Duluc took over the management and launched a series of projects to improve the vineyard. In 1866, Gustave Roy settled as head of this 3rd Classified Growth in 1855: he had the first gravity-fed cellars built and undertook most importantly to replant the vineyard that had been devastated by phylloxera. During the period between the two World Wars, the estate was unfortunately left to deteriorate, but was reawakened by the Cruse family, owners since 1945. Under the management of Lionel Cruse, the chateau has been restored, the installations renovated and the vineyard replanted. Since 1998, as a result of investments made by Lionel’s son Emmanuel Cruse in the vines and cellars, Château d’Issan wines have become even more a faithful reflection of their exclusive terroir. Since 2012 when Françoise and Jacky Lorenzetti, who also own Château Lilian Ladouys in Saint-Estèphe and Château Pedesclaux in Pauillac, joined forces with the Cruse family, the estate has reached a new level. With tenacity, passion and courage, the different generations have worked to achieve the renewal of Château d’Issan, which has regained its former glory with the soul of a great Margaux. The 2021 vintage