Château d'Issan - Blason d'Issan 2022
In the heart of Margaux, Château d’Issan spreads its vineyard around a historic enclosed plot whose gravelly slopes constitute one of the emblematic terroirs of the appellation. Third Grand Cru Classé in 1855, the estate is now managed by Emmanuel Cruse and benefits from significant precise parcel work. Created in 1995, Blason d’Issan is the château’s second wine and is mainly based on a selection of younger vines, worked with the same care as those intended for the grand vin. Its identity seeks a more accessible expression of Margaux, with more immediate suppleness and particularly clear fruit. The gravelly soils, combined with limestone or clay-silt horizons, help preserve freshness despite the significant ripeness of the 2022 vintage. This hot and dry year was marked by remarkable vineyard resistance thanks to water reserves present deep underground. The exceptionally early harvest took place entirely in September and gave birth to a generous, precise, and particularly silky Blason d’Issan.
Blason d’Issan 2022 blends 55% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Petit Verdot. The Merlot, predominant in this vintage, brings a broad and velvety texture as well as notes of black cherry, blackberry, and ripe red fruits. The Cabernet Sauvignon provides a straighter structure, persistent freshness, and a slightly graphite dimension, while the Petit Verdot completes the blend with a spicy touch. The parcel vinification is carried out in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, including small vats allowing precise adaptation of the work to each lot. Aging continues for fourteen to sixteen months in barrels, about 35% of which are new oak. This measured proportion allows refining the texture without masking the fruit expression or the characteristic finesse of Margaux. The 2022 vintage thus has enough density to evolve in the cellar while offering a profile more quickly accessible than Château d’Issan.
The color shows a deep garnet shade with still strong purple reflections. The bouquet develops on black cherry, blackcurrant, and small ripe berries, accompanied by violet, fine spices, and slightly chocolatey nuances. Aeration reveals hints of mocha, cedar, and delicate tobacco that progressively enrich the fruit. The palate is distinguished by a particularly silky texture, with fine tannins framing a generous body without producing a massive sensation. The Merlot dominance brings roundness and gourmandise, while the Cabernet Sauvignon maintains a welcome freshness and extends the tasting. The finish remains precise and persistent, carried by black fruits, spices, and a discreet mineral dimension. Blason d’Issan 2022 will accompany duck breast, roasted rack of lamb, veal chop with mushrooms, beef fillet, or roasted pigeon.
Grape varieties: 55% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot
