Château d'Issan Margaux 2021 - 3ème Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

Half the vineyard is owned by the Cruse family, the other half by Jacky Lorenzetti, who obviously have great ambitions for it. Surrounded by walls, the fifty-hectare vineyard is situated on a first-class terroir, which explains the wine's remarkable aromatic finesse, and its consistency despite the frequent climatic vagaries of recent vintages. With even more rigorous selection, it could match its prestigious Palmer neighbor, albeit with a different character.

Decanter

About the wine:

The nose is marked by hints of mint and flowers and delicate, fragrant notes of black bramble. Soft and elegant, it's lifted by lovely balanced acidity, without being sharp - it's all very calm and delicate, but the tannins have texture, they're slightly grippy and slightly chalky, giving them frame and definition. It's not as full or fleshy as some Margaux wines, but what it doesn't have in confrontation, it has in finesse. It's really easy to drink and enjoy, with a wonderful perfume, elements of raspberry and strawberry and a little black tea on the finish. 2026-2046

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

Freshness and elegance are the watchwords of this Classified Growth, which holds its own in this demanding vintage. Its complex bouquet of jammy red fruit, licorice, clove and violet is immediately appreciated, followed by a seductive, fresh and tender palate, served by tannins that are still tight but not austere. Harmonious and sapid, this is a fine interpretation of the vintage.

About the domain :

With its medieval château on one side and 17th-century manor house on the other, this cru classé blends styles and eras with real harmony, as seen in the cellar and its hull-shaped frame. At the helm since 1945, the Cruse family, associated since 2013 with Jacky Lorenzetti, already firmly established in the Médoc, manages a 55-hectare vineyard planted on a fine clay-gravel terroir in the heart of the appellation.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

A great success for this vintage, with a lovely mellowness on the mid-palate, with plenty of distinction and intensity on the finish. 

About the domain :

In addition to a sumptuous château, Issan boasts one of the few historic vineyards that has not been consolidated, ideally situated on the banks of the Gironde and contained within a magnificent clos. Thanks to the work of Emmanuel Cruse and his team, the wines have gained in thickness, intensity and depth in recent years, while retaining a very silky touch. They are now among the appellation's elite.

James Suckling

About the wine:

With aromas of red currant, ripe cherry, flowers and hints of nutmeg and salt, this medium-bodied red has a solid core of fruit with medium-ripe tannins that frame the wine nicely and give it depth and energy. Slightly chewy and caressing on the finish. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot. Drink in 2-3 years, but best after 2027.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Château d'Issan reveals itself in a sophisticated way, with an obvious quest for precision and delicacy! It reveals many nuances through ripe black berries, complemented by sweet spices and licorice. Rather slender, the palate conveys the notion of precision through velvety, perfectly integrated tannins. They offer a little width, while the acid structure provides the backbone. An accomplished, subtle, high-performance wine, even in a context as complicated as 2021! 2026-2046

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is fruity, elegant and racy, with a lovely finesse of grain and a certain racy power. There are notes of ripe boysenberry, fresh blackcurrant and, to a lesser extent, juicy/fresh red berries, combined with hints of peony and pepper, as well as hints of bright cherry, mocha, toast, a discreet touch of graphite and an imperceptible hint of incense (in the background). The palate is fruity, with a lovely burst of fruit, suavity, freshness and a slight richness of fruit flesh. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy raspberry, fleshy/juicy blackberry and, more slightly, fleshy cherry, combined with hints of lily, peony and plum blossom, as well as racy minerality/argalaise, gunflint, chocolate/cocoa and fine hints of toasted almond/fresh vanilla. Good length. A little chewiness on the finish/persistence. The tannins are precise and mellow. Good mid-palate and supple finish.

Tastingbook - Markus Del Monego

About the wine:

Dark purple color with violet highlights and black core. Elegant, aromatic nose reminiscent of ripe blackcurrant and juicy blackberry, notes of pure blackcurrant, refined toast, hints of dark chocolate. Well-structured palate with convincing length, great depth and promising potential.