Château d’Issan 2015 is a refined and powerful Margaux with expressive aromas of blackcurrant, dark plum, cherry, violet and fresh liquorice, layered with cedar, tobacco and subtle savoury notes. The palate is concentrated yet elegant, with fine-grained tannins, vibrant acidity and a long, polished finish. A classic 2015 Margaux with excellent ageing potential.

James Suckling | JS 96
Published: Feb 2, 2018

Very complex aromas of currants, blackberries and iodine with hints of dried mushrooms and flowers. Full-bodied, very fine and silky with a very, very long finish. Shows tension and finesse. Structured yet shows an ultra-fine texture. Deep, dense center palate, yet it'sall so polished. A wine for the future. Drink in 2022.

The Wine Advocate | RP 93
Published: Feb 22, 2018
Drink: 2022-2038

A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot aged in 50% new and 50% one-year-old barrels for 18 months, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 D'Issan simply sings with a beautiful perfume of wilted flowers, rose hip tea and mincemeat with a core of cherry preserves and blackberry tart plus a hint of underbrush. Medium-bodied, fine, fresh and elegant, it'svery soft and silky in the mouth with a long finish. 

Chateau-issan.com

A delightful spring and exceptional flowering Thanks to the mild spring, followed by an incredibly warm and sunny month of June, flowering during the last week of May took place quickly and very evenly.

A splendid summer, hot and dry The hot and dry month of July confirmed the potential of the vintage. Despite some peaks in temperature, this did not stress the vines due to lack of water. The abundant rains in winter had supplied ample water in reserve to see the vineyard through the hot weather. Conditions were totally normal throughout the month of August. The mid-point of veraison was reached during the first week of August. The weather in September was especially favorable for both Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon at the critical time of maturation. The chemical analysis on the 7th of September showed that the Merlot was at exactly the same level as it had been in 2009, and the Cabernet Sauvignon exceeded all expectations. The berries ripened gradually in the most optimal way to produce complexity and preserve freshness.

A seamless harvest
Merlot : September 21 - 29 / Cabernet Sauvignon : September 30 - October 6 Harvest took place under brilliant sunshine and was calm and stressless. The berries were ripe and juicy with tight skins generously packed with fruit. The tannins were silky and refined. 

'Haute Couture' Vinification
Fermentation progressed in the traditional way with very gentle pumping over to preserve the structure and freshness of the grapes. Three weeks of maceration were followed by malolactic fermentation, further custom-tailored for each grape variety. By mid-November, we were ready to fill the barrels. 

Blending
By the beginning of February, the final blends of Chateau d'Issan and Blason d'Issan had been determined after many weeks of meticulous tasting with our team. The 2015 vintage is like no other, but is a faithful and lovely rendition of its authentic Margaux terroir. All in all, this 2015 was an ideal vintage to celebrate 70 years of harvests at Chateau d'Issan.

Technical Specs

Alcohol: 13.8%
Closure: Natural Cork
Harvest: 2015
Oak: 18 months in French oak, 50% new barrels
Varietals: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot
Harvest: Hand-picked; Merlot 21–29 September, Cabernet Sauvignon 30 September–6 October
Vinification: Traditional fermentation with gentle pumping over, 3 weeks of maceration followed by malolactic fermentation; barrel ageing from mid-November
Consulting Oenologist: Éric Boissenot
Region: Margaux AOC, Margaux, Bordeaux, France
Classification: 3rd Grand Cru Classé 1855

Serving Temperature: 16–18°C
Decanting: 1 hour
Food Pairing: Roast lamb, beef, duck, venison, grilled meats, braised dishes, mushrooms and truffle