Château d'Issan 2025

Tasting notes and advice for Château d'Issan 2025

Tasting

This vintage reveals itself as concentrated, refined, and perfectly harmonious. It offers a refined depth supported by a particularly elegant tension, making it already highly appealing in its youth.

A great Margaux wine with vibrant elegance

The estate
Located on the banks of the Gironde, the Château d'Issan stands as an essential reference within the Bordeaux vineyard. This historic estate spans 68 hectares of vines. Today, the destiny of this grand cru classé is overseen by the Cruse family, present since 1945, and Jacky Lorenzetti, co-owner since 2013. Under the general management of Emmanuel Cruse, the château continues to shine through its excellence, combining a rich centuries-old heritage with highly precise viticultural practices.

The vineyard
Located in the heart of the Margaux appellation, the terroir benefits from a privileged geographical location on the 45th parallel, in close proximity to the Gironde estuary, which acts as a natural thermal regulator. The vines thrive on well-drained gravel soils at the surface, resting on a clay-limestone subsoil. The estate places great importance on its environment, integrating practices that respect biodiversity and natural cycles. The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the Cruse family at the head of the estate.

The vintage

The growing season unfolded with great regularity: bud break on March 30, even flowering on May 29, followed by mid-veraison observed on July 28. This smooth progression allowed the vine to develop without excessive stress. A hot, dry summer provided ideal conditions, leading to an early harvest of remarkable quality. Supported by soils capable of preserving freshness, the vines passed through the summer with complete serenity. The slow and even ripening of the berries suggests wines of great purity, with vibrant aromatic expression, supported by elegant tension and refined depth.

Vinification and aging
The harvest was carried out entirely by hand to ensure each berry was picked at optimal ripeness. After rigorous double manual and optical sorting, the grapes undergo separate vinification in 53 temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. The process is monitored with extreme precision, including gentle pump-overs, strict temperature control, and daily tastings. Aging then takes place in French oak barrels, 50% of which are new. Alcohol: 13.73% vol.

Grape varieties
This Château d'Issan 2025 is the result of a blend composed of 64% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 2% cabernet franc, 2% malbec, and 2% petit verdot.