Château d'Issan reveals itself in a refined manner, with an obvious quest for precision and delight! It reveals a multitude of nuances through ripe black berries complemented by sweet spices and licorice. Rather slender in style, the palate conveys the notion of precision through velvety, perfectly integrated tannins. They offer a little breadth, while the acidic structure provides the backbone. A successful, subtle, and very impressive wine, even in a context as complicated as 2021!" (Yves Beck 2023) - Delivery in wooden cases is possible for orders of 6 bottles of this wine (depending on the country and shipping method selected).
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Eye
Dark purple color with violet highlights
Nose
Fruity and precise with an elegant floral bouquet, aromas of redcurrant, cherry, blackberry, as well as spices and licorice.
Mouth
Dense and rich attack, velvety tannins, notes of black berries and a hint of minerality adding depth to the mid-palate. Very long, supple and intense finish.
Serve
At 17-18°C
Open
2 hours before
Drink from
2026
Drink before
2046
Production
Approximately 100,000 bottles
Food and wine pairings
Enjoy with pressed beef cheek in red wine, venison with pepper sauce, Rossini duck breast...
Bettane & Desseauve
Rated estate (2021 guide) 4 stars (Producers of very high quality, the pride of French vineyards)
About the estate:
Half of the estate belongs to the Cruse family and the other half to Jacky Lorenzetti, who obviously have high ambitions for it. Surrounded by walls, the 50-hectare vineyard is located on first-class terroir, which explains the wine's remarkable aromatic finesse and consistency despite the frequent climatic vagaries of recent vintages. With even greater rigor in its selection, it could rival its prestigious neighbor Palmer, albeit with a different character.
Decanter
Wine rated (2023 guide) 94/100
About wine:
The nose is marked by notes of mint and flowers and delicate, fragrant hints of blackberries. Smooth and elegant, it is enhanced by a beautiful, balanced acidity without being sharp—everything is very calm and delicate, but the tannins have texture, are slightly grippy and slightly chalky, giving them structure and definition. It is not as full-bodied or fleshy as some Margaux wines, but what it lacks in confrontation, it makes up for in finesse. It is really easy to drink and enjoy, with a magnificent fragrance, elements of raspberry and strawberry, and a hint of black tea on the finish. 2026-2046
Guide Hachette des vins
Wine noted (guide 2025) 1*Star (Very successful wine)
Rated estate (2021 guide) Award-winning wines (This producer's wines are regularly recognized by the guide)
About wine:
Freshness and elegance are the hallmarks of this classified growth, which holds its own in this demanding vintage. Its complex bouquet of red fruit jam, licorice, clove, and violet is immediately appealing, followed by a sappy, fresh, and tender palate, supported by tannins that are still tight but without austerity. Harmonious and sapid, this is a very nice interpretation of the vintage.
About the estate:
With its medieval castle on one side and 17th-century manor house on the other, this classified growth blends styles and eras with true harmony, which is also reflected in the cellar and its ship's hull-shaped roof structure. At the helm since 1945, the Cruse family, joined in 2013 by Jacky Lorenzetti, already well established in the Médoc, runs a 55-hectare vineyard planted on beautiful clay-gravel terroir in the heart of the appellation.
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate
Rated Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate)
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Wine rated (2022 guide) 95/100
Rated estate (2021 guide) 2 stars (These very large estates, often blessed with fabulous terroirs, are must-haves which, thanks to their consistency and the excellence of their production, deserve a place in the cellars of discerning wine lovers).
About wine:
A great success for this vintage, which displays a beautiful mellowness on the palate, with great distinction, but also intensity on the finish.
About the estate:
In addition to a sumptuous château, Issan boasts one of the few historic vineyards that has not been consolidated, ideally located on the banks of the Gironde and enclosed within a magnificent walled estate. Thanks to the work of Emmanuel Cruse and his team, the wines have gained in body, intensity, and depth in recent years, while retaining a very silky texture. They are now among the elite of the appellation.
James Suckling
Wine rated (2024 guide) 96/100
About wine:
With aromas of red currant, ripe cherry, flowers, and hints of nutmeg and salt, this medium-bodied red has a solid fruit core 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 or 3 years, but best after 2027.
Yves Beck
Wine rated (2023 guide) 95/100
About wine:
Château d'Issan reveals itself in a refined manner, with an obvious quest for precision and delight! It reveals a multitude of nuances through ripe black berries complemented by sweet spices and licorice. Rather slender in style, the palate conveys a sense of precision through velvety, perfectly integrated tannins. They offer a little breadth, while the acidic structure provides the backbone. A accomplished, subtle and very impressive wine, even in a context as complicated as 2021! 2026-2046
Vert de Vin
Wine rated (2022 guide) 95/100 (Jonathan Choukroun Chicheportiche)
About wine:
The nose is fruity, elegant, distinguished, and offers a lovely finesse of grain and a certain distinguished power. There are notes of fairly ripe boysenberry, fresh blackcurrant and, more subtly, juicy/fresh red berries combined with hints of peony, pepper and delicate touches of bright cherry, mocha, toast, a discreet hint of graphite and an imperceptible hint of incense (in the background). The palate is fruity and offers a lovely brightness of fruit, smoothness, freshness, and a certain richness of fruit flesh. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy raspberry, fleshy/juicy blackberry, and more subtly fleshy cherry, combined with hints of lily, peony, plum blossom, as well as hints of racy/Margala minerality, flint, chocolate/cocoa, and subtle 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 suppleness on the finish.
Tastingbook - Markus Del Monego
Wine rated (2022 guide) 95/100
About wine:
Dark purple color with violet highlights and a black core. Elegant and aromatic nose reminiscent of ripe blackcurrant and juicy blackberry, notes of pure blackcurrant, refined toast, and hints of dark chocolate. The palate is well-structured with convincing length, great depth, and promising potential.
Customer rating
5/5
based on 1 review
Note and opinion by Mr. FREDERICK D. Published on 09/09/2025
See all reviews from this customer
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