From: Bordeaux, France
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon 10% Merlot 90%
The history of Château d’Issan consists primarily of a long list of property transmissions and legacies. By inheritance and marriage, the estate has been handed down from owner to owner, and all of them have contributed in their own way to its renown and helped to forge its unique character. In the 12th century, the property was a fiefdom with the name at that time of La Mothe-Cantenac, before becoming Théobon Manor, when a female heir married a lord with the same name.
Over a period of nearly three centuries, the estate was passed down along a line involving a number of families with names such as Noailhan, Meyrac, Ségur, Salignac, de la Vergne, Escodeca de Boisse, etc. From 1575 onwards, the property was owned by five generations of the Essenault family, who ended up renaming it, contracting their name to “Issan” and thus Château d’Issan was born...
Tasting Notes: Impressive nose of black currant, blackberry and toasted oak, followed on the palate by attractive earth, tobacco and cassis notes. Remarkably for a wine at this price, shows range, weight and authority, with all the components draping nicely on the finish. While well-structured, it never loses its sense of balance and harmony. Enjoyable now, with excellent aging potential. —Ben Giliberti, CW Director of Wine Education
