Chateau D'Issan 2016

Tasting Notes

Aromas of black currant and dark cherry unfold first, followed by notes of violet, graphite, and a subtle hint of cedar from the oak barrels. On the palate, the wine is medium-full-bodied, with the silky texture characteristic of Margaux that you’d expect from d'Issan, though compared to the softer 2016 vintages, it has a firmer structure. The tannins are fine, and the aftertaste is long. The finish offers umami, minerality, and subtle hints of iron. The wine can be enjoyed now, but its entire structure suggests that it should be aged further This is truly a majestic wine from d'Issan.

Grape Varieties

In the 2016 vintage, Cabernet Sauvignon accounts for 64%, with Merlot making up the remainder. The Cabernet brings aromas of black currant and cedar, as well as forming a tannic framework that will support this wine for several decades. The Merlot adds roundness to the mid-palate and softens the sharp edges. On the deep gravel soils that lie over the clay layer of d'Issan, Cabernet ripens slowly and fully. This is precisely why the blend’s varietal ratio turned out this way.

Cellaring Potential

The wine will be ready to drink around 2026, but we recommend aging it until at least 2028. It will reach its peak around 2030–2045, though the finest bottles will continue to age beyond that. The tannin density and acidity of this vintage are ideal for long-term aging. Store horizontally at a temperature of 12–14 °C. As the wine matures in the bottle, aromas of tobacco, leather, and truffles will develop.

The Producer

Wine has been produced at d'Issan since the Middle Ages, and the current château, surrounded by a moat, was built in the 17th century. The walled "Clos" vineyard was completed in 1644. However, d'Issan's modern history truly began in 1945, when the Cruz family acquired the neglected estate and replanted the vineyards. In 1998, management passed to Emmanuel Cruz, who achieved a significant improvement in quality, and in 2012, the Lorenzetti family joined the business as co-owners. We offer d’Issan wines because, despite their third-growth-level pricing, they always deliver the aromas of Margaux.

Terroir & Climate

The vineyards are located on a gravelly hill in the very heart of the Margaux AOC, between Château Palmer and Château Margaux. The croupe (a gravelly rise) is well-drained and warms up quickly, forcing the vines to send their roots deep into the underlying clay layer in search of moisture. This is precisely where the wine’s richness comes from. The mouth of the Gironde River moderates temperature fluctuations, and since this estate is located almost exactly on the 45th parallel north, it enjoys long, warm summers and mild winters. For the Cabernet Sauvignon variety, these are, in essence, the typical conditions of the Left Bank.

Winemaking

The hand-harvested grapes undergo a two-stage sorting process (first by hand, then on a vibrating sorting table) and flow by gravity into stainless steel tanks, separated by vineyard plot. Fermentation and maceration last between 18 and 24 days. The blend is determined in January and February in consultation with consultant Éric Boissenot, after which the wine is aged in French oak barriques (225-liter Bordeaux barrels) for 16–18 months. About half of the barrels are new. This proportion of new barrels is sufficient to impart structure and spicy notes to the wine without detracting from the floral nuances characteristic of Margaux. Each year, the chateau ships approximately 100,000 bottles of grand vin.

Food Pairing

Tannins require proteins and fats. Examples of successful pairings:

• Simply grilled beef short ribs with shallots and bone marrow
• Lamb breast with thyme—a classic pairing from the Médoc region
• Roast duck with cherries. The fruity notes harmonize with the wine
• After opening the bottle—aged Comté cheese or hard cheeses made from sheep’s milk

Serve at 16–18 °C. Young vintages, such as the 2022, should be decanted for at least an hour before serving to allow them to breathe.