Château d'Issan 2016

The balance and smoothness of a fine Margaux red wine

The estate

A Margaux wine, Château d'Issan has been greatly admired since the 12th century. This Grand Cru Classé in 1855 has now regained its reputation thanks to the Lorenzetti family’s involvement, also owners in the Saint-Estèphe and Pauillac appellations, with the Cruse family.

The vineyard

The Château d’Issan’s 59-hectare vineyard is spread over three appellations. Most of it is cultivated on the gravelly and alluvial hills of the Margaux wine region.

The vintage

The weather conditions during the 2016 vintage were quite exceptional. From January 1st to the beginning of June, the heavy rainfall replenished the water reserves but there was still a fear regarding the flowering stage. The rain stopped during the first week of June and flowering was optimal and even. Summer then set in and brought heat and dryness along with it, the rainfall on September 13th salvaged the vines and kick-started the ripening of the grapes. The Indian summer, with good temperature variations between daytime and nighttime, favoured the optimal ripening of the grapes until the harvest, which took place from September 29th to October 19th.

The vinification and ageing

Harvested by hand, the grapes are carefully transported to the gravity-fed vat room where they are vinified by plot in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. The wine is aged in barrels (50% of which are new).

The blend

Cabernet Sauvignon (64%)

Merlot (36%).

Château d'Issan 2016: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Nose

The nose reveals delicious fruity fragrances.

Palate

Medium-bodied, the palate reveals fine, crisp tannins. Concentrated and precise, the palate seduces with its beautiful balance, its smooth salinity and its persistent finish.