Château D'Issan

Château D'Issan

Château d'Issan is a wine estate in the Bordeaux region. In the Margaux appellation, it ranks among the Third Growths in the official 1855 Médoc wine classification. Château d'Issan is a magnificent property located on the banks of the Gironde, it is said that Issan wine was served at the wedding of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry Plantagenet in 1152. The grape varieties are classic for the Médoc vineyard, a majority of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Its wine is naturally refined, it can be voluptuous and round when the vintage allows. The estate also produces a second wine 'Blason d'Issan'.

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Château d'Issan is an estate located in the village of Cantenac, north of Bordeaux. It is a Third Growth of the 1855 Bordeaux wine classification in the heart of the prestigious Margaux appellation, in the Médoc vineyard.

>> Read our blog article "Bordeaux Classified Growths, official 1855 classification"

 

The history of Château d'Issan

 

Founded in the 12th century, the property was then a fortified castle and was called Mothe-Cantenac before later becoming the Théobon manor.

 

After being owned by many families; the Noailhans, the Meyracs, the Ségurs, the Salignacs, the De La Vergnes, the Escodeca de Boisses... the estate was bought in 1575 by Baron d'Essenault, whose contracted name gave birth to Château d'Issan.

He decided to raze the existing building to build the current property, a sumptuous residence that has kept its medieval aspect and its surrounding wall still delimiting the plots.

 

In 1787, Château d'Issan wine was among the famous selection of Bordeaux vineyards by Thomas Jefferson, the future American president.

 

Since then, Château d'Issan has undergone several periods of renovation until being registered as a French historical monument in 1970 thanks to the Cruse family. They gave the estate a new impetus by becoming owners in 1945, then co-owners with Françoise and Jacky Lorenzetti since 2012.

 

Château d'Issan wine did not wait for the 1855 classification to distinguish itself. It first became legendary when it was served on May 18, 1152, at the wedding of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry Plantagenet, future Henry II of England.

He was once again invited to the table of crowned heads in the 19th century and became the favorite wine of Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria. It is to him that we owe the château's motto: "Regum mensis aris que Deorum", for the table of Kings and the altar of Gods.

 

What are the characteristics of Château d'Issan wines?

  

The terroir of Château d'Issan benefits from a temperate climate, regulated by its proximity to the ocean and the Gironde estuary, as well as a soil composed of gravel on the surface and clay in depth that quickly drains water. These geological and climatic elements provide ideal conditions for deep rooting and vine development.

 

 The Château d'Issan property consists of 117 hectares; 50 ha of natural space in polyculture and 67 ha of vines, of which 52 are in the Margaux appellation, 5 in the Haut-Médoc appellation and 10 in Bordeaux Supérieur.

The château's vineyard is planted with the two emblematic Bordeaux grape varieties: approximately 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot.

 

The grand vin of Château d'Issan, produced from old vines, is known for being rich in aromas and silky. It stands out for its refinement, elegance and longevity, its fruity notes make it very expressive. It is a wine for aging with great consistency across vintages.

 

Blason d'Issan, second wine of Château d'Issan since 1995, is produced from younger vines. It is round, generous and elegant.

The château also produces other red wines, such as Haut-Médoc d'Issan in the appellation of the same name and Moulin d'Issans in AOP Bordeaux Supérieur, predominantly made from Merlot.

 

The best vintages of Château d'Issan

  

The wines of Château d'Issan are undoubtedly part of the elite of the Margaux appellation. Some vintages have been very good, even excellent. This is particularly true for Château d'Issan 1928, 1929, 1945, 1947, 1949, 1953, 1959, 1961, 1978, 1983, 1985, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008.

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