“The aromatic profile is marked by notes of blackcurrant, cedar, tobacco, flowers, cherries, licorice, smoke, and cigar wrapper. Medium-bodied, lively, smooth, vibrant, and elegant, this wine offers character, finesse, refinement, and beautiful textures. The fruit is fresh, crisp, and pure. The finish, full of energy, with its layers of lush and refined fruit that linger on the palate, unfolding and gaining intensity, is simply perfect.” (Jeff Leve 2026)
Delivery: First half of 2028
Packaging: Plain cardboard box for 1 to 5 bottles purchased and original wooden case for multiples of 6 bottles
Buy your Issan wines at the best prices in a private sale!
Starting at €99 on your first order
Bettane & Desseauve
Rated estate (2021 guide): 4* Stars (Producers of the very highest quality, the pride of French viticulture)
About the estate:
Half of the estate is owned by the Cruse family and the other half by Jacky Lorenzetti, who naturally have high hopes for it. Surrounded by walls, the approximately 50-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 greater rigor in its selection, it could rival—though without a distinct character—its prestigious neighbor Palmer.
Decanter
Wine rated (2026 guide) 95/100
About the wine:
On the nose, notes of violet and iris. Supple and luscious, with a hint of sweet strawberries balanced by fairly fresh notes of blackcurrant, licorice, and cola. I love the texture: refined, concentrated, precise, so smooth and sophisticated. Perhaps a slightly darker profile than recent vintages, but it is so well-constructed, with a firm structure and lovely liveliness from start to finish. It is multifaceted, lacking neither power nor muscle, yet without any heaviness or harshness; in this regard, it offers a lot of wine without any weight. Captivating, playful, interesting, engaging, and so easy to drink. Potential for further development in the bottle. 2% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc round out the blend. pH of 3.63. A yield of 29 hl/ha. 2032–2047
Guide Hachette des vins
Rated estate (2021 guide) Award-winning wines (This producer’s wines regularly receive awards from the guide)
About the estate:
With a medieval fortified castle on one side and a 17th-century manor house on the other, this classified growth blends styles and eras with true harmony, a harmony that is reflected in the winery and its ship’s hull-shaped roof structure. At the helm since 1945, the Cruse family—partnered since 2013 with Jacky Lorenzetti, who is already well-established in the Médoc—manages a 55-hectare vineyard planted on a beautiful clay-gravel terroir at the heart of the appellation.
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate
Estate rated "Recommended" (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate)
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Rated estate (2021 guide) 2*Stars (These exceptional estates, often blessed with fabulous terroirs, are must-haves that, thanks to the consistency and excellence of their wines, deserve a place in the cellars of discerning wine lovers)
About the estate:
In addition to its magnificent château, Issan boasts one of the few historic vineyards that has not been consolidated, ideally situated on the banks of the Gironde and enclosed within a magnificent vineyard enclosure. 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 appellation’s elite.
James Suckling
Wine rated (2026 guide) 96-97/100
About the wine:
A dense, juicy red wine with aromas and flavors of blackberry, cherry, plum, and spices. It has a medium body, a velvety texture, and a lively finish. A refined wine for its vintage, with a distinct character and a lovely length on the palate.
Jeb Dunnuck
Wine rated (2026 guide) 94-96/100
About the wine:
Blackcurrant, black cherries, smoked tobacco, graphite, and a chalky minerality come through fully in the Château d'Issan 2025, a blend composed of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot, aged 50% in new barrels and the remainder in once-used barrels. Slightly reminiscent of the 2016 vintage in its balance and elegance, it offers a medium- to full-bodied palate with a pure, graceful texture, fine tannins, and exceptional length. It develops beautifully over time in the glass. With an alcohol content of 13.73% and a pH of 3.63, this will be an incredibly satisfying, classic, and complex Margaux, exuding class and elegance.
The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve
Wine rated (2026 guide) 95-97/100
About the wine:
The aromatic profile is marked by notes of blackcurrant, cedar, tobacco, flowers, cherries, licorice, smoke, and cigar wrapper. Medium-bodied, lively, smooth, vibrant, and elegant, this wine offers character, finesse, refinement, and beautiful textures. The fruit is fresh, crisp, and pure. The finish, full of energy, with its layers of lush and refined fruit that linger on the palate, unfolding and gaining intensity, is simply perfect. The wine is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot. 13.73% alcohol. Harvest took place from September 11 to 23. Yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare. It is important to note that 2025 will mark the 80th anniversary of the Cruse family as owners of Issan. Best enjoyed between 2030 and 2060.
FIRST LOOK 2025
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