Who makes it
Château d'Issan is one of the oldest wine producing properties in the Médoc and all of Bordeaux. It is a château in Margaux-Cantenac and a Third Growth in the 1855 classification. A Third Growth is one of the estates named in Bordeaux's 1855 hierarchy. The estate's red wine comes from a vineyard led by Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot and smaller plantings of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec.
Where it grows
Margaux is the appellation on the estate's address, in the Bordeaux region. An appellation is a regulated geographic name that identifies where the grapes come from and which regional rules govern the wine. Here, Margaux places Château d'Issan inside a named Bordeaux wine area, while Margaux-Cantenac identifies the commune where the château and vineyard are located.
What they make
Château d'Issan is the estate's named red wine. The 2019 vintage is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot. Cabernet Sauvignon commonly brings cassis and firm tannin, while Merlot contributes plum fruit and a rounder palate. Those grape roles place dark fruit and firm tannin in the same glass before barrel ageing adds another layer.
Cabernet Sauvignon brings cassis and firm tannin to Bordeaux, while Merlot softens the middle of the palate with plum fruit. Château d'Issan is aged in French oak for an average of 18 months, with half of the barrels new. New oak can add cedar, toast and spice, while time in barrel allows tannin to feel more integrated. The profile moves from dark fruit to a firm, oak seasoned finish.