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Château d’Issan is one of the oldest and most storied estates in Bordeaux, with a history dating back to the 12th century—its wine was even served at the wedding of Eleanor of Aquitaine and King Henry II of England. Over the centuries, d’Issan has maintained its timeless elegance, producing some of Margaux’s most refined and terroir-driven wines.

In 2022, nature tested Bordeaux, delivering an extraordinary vintage that defied expectations. Château d’Issan rose to the challenge, crafting a wine that is both powerful and precise. The estate’s meticulous approach—**harvesting plot by plot, aging in 50% new oak, and preserving historic plantings of Malbec and Petit Verdot—**ensured that this wine captured the essence of the vintage while staying true to its roots.

The 2022 vintage is nothing short of captivating. Deep, dark fruit, exotic spices, and floral aromatics lead to a structured yet finessed palate. Juicy, layered, and thrillingly vibrant, this is Margaux with both charm and backbone. Decanter (96) calls it "one of the most exciting wines this year," while Jeb Dunnuck (95-97) praises its "beautiful freshness" and "elegance."

2022 was an extraordinary vintage for Bordeaux, it was blessed with a 95-98 pt review by Wine Spectator who said: "A beautiful vintage. Merlot berries were small and concentrated; Cabernet Franc also relished the conditions. Wines are very aromatic and sleek, with Pomerol and St.-Emilion excelling"

Aging: 50% new French oak

~#1 Top 100 Wines of 2025 by James Suckling

This is really luxurious, showing blackcurrants and orange peel with cedar and dried-mushroom aromas following through to a medium to full body that grows on the palate. This has crunchy and lightly chewy tannins that are slightly austere but in an elegant, classical Bordeaux way. Chewy at the end. So much energy and vibe. So complex. Probably the greatest wine ever from here. A blend of 65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 2% cabernet franc, 2% malbec and 1% petit verdot. Best after 2028 but already a joy to taste. ~#1 Wine of 2025, 98 James Suckling

The deep ruby/purple-hued 2022 Château D'Issan is rock star stuff, offering a massive array of red and black fruits, spring flowers, violets, smoky tobacco, and a beautiful sense of minerality. This full-bodied, powerful, concentrated Issan has a layered, seamless mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. ~96 Jeb Dunnuck

Deep, heady, really quite seductive and aromatic on the nose, draws you in with bramble fruits, chocolate, exotic spices and perfumed floral nuances. Juicy and lively, pure and focussed, but such a vibrancy to this wine. Sweet and sour elements combine with really salty, chalky, powdery and quite filling tannins that give the nuance of flavour and texture. Bright yet serious, finessed yet layered. Lovely intensity of elements. On the more savoury side right now in terms of lingering flavour but there’s mouthwatering acidity giving the liveliness and sense of fun. I really like this, textured, upfront, forward, extremely drinkable and so approachable, but thrilling too. An exciting wine with great integration and finesse and still clear strength underneath. One of the most exciting wines this year. Stylish, potent and polished. I love it! A yield of 30hl/ha. Harvest 15 - 28 September. 1% PV planted in 1948, 12% press wine. 2% Malbet and 1% Petit Verdot complete the blend. Total acidity: 3.55. 50% new barrels. 3.67pH. ~96 Decanter

Deep, dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, subtly brighter at the rim. Hints of fresh fig and orange zest, ripe plum and sweet cherry and in the background, a touch of noble wood. Juicy, fine fruit, fine acid structure, ripe cherry and integrated tannins. Despite its content, surprising freshness and elegance, with very good length and definite ageing potential. ~96 Falstaff

The 2022 D'Issan has turned out beautifully, wafting from the glass with aromas of minty cassis, rose petals, pencil shavings and vine smoke. Medium to full-bodied, suave and velvety, it's deep, complex and well-balanced, with a sweet core of fruit and ripe structuring tannins. It's a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. ~95 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Grips from the outset, spiced sandalwood, incense, cumin, graphite, black pepper, a ton of personality and confidence, juicy savoury black fruits, character, intensity, grip and lift, impressive. Love the character of this wine. Issan had been using five grapes in the blend since the 2020 vintage. 50% new oak. ~95 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux