Château d'Issan - Le Haut-Médoc d'Issan 2019
Near its historic Margaux vineyard, Château d’Issan also cultivates plots located in the Haut-Médoc appellation, from which Le Haut-Médoc d’Issan is produced. This cuvée allows the estate to offer a distinct expression of its expertise, built around the traditional Médoc grape varieties and a terroir situated as a natural extension of the great gravelly areas of the left bank. Under the direction of Emmanuel Cruse, the work favors precise parcel management and a pursuit of balanced ripeness. Cabernet Sauvignon provides the wine's structural framework, while Merlot complements the blend with more suppleness and fleshiness. The soils promote a clear expression of fruit while maintaining the freshness essential to balance. The 2019 vintage, particularly successful in Médoc, combines generous ripeness with a fine tannic definition. It gives birth to a red wine accessible after a few years in bottle, yet sufficiently structured to evolve harmoniously in the cellar.
Le Haut-Médoc d’Issan 2019 is based on a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The grapes are selected according to their ripeness and then vinified separately to preserve the unique characteristics of each grape variety and each plot. Cabernet Sauvignon brings blackcurrant, structure, and length, while Merlot adds more volume and a rounder texture in the mid-palate. The vinification aims to extract with restraint to maintain a fine tannic grain and a precise fruit expression. The aging then supports the wine without seeking an excessive woody imprint, favoring balance and integration. The generous character of the 2019 vintage is expressed through ripe matter, but the freshness remains sufficiently present to avoid any heaviness. After several years of evolution, the structure begins to soften, making the wine particularly pleasant at the table today.
The color shows a deep garnet with still strong ruby reflections. The nose opens with blackcurrant, black cherry, and blackberry, accompanied by nuances of violet, cedar, and sweet spices. With aeration, notes of licorice, cocoa, and fine tobacco gradually enrich the bouquet. The palate has a supple attack followed by a straighter structure, with well-integrated tannins and balanced matter. Merlot brings roundness and indulgence, while Cabernet Sauvignon extends the tasting on a fresher and slightly graphite framework. The finish remains clean and persistent, on black fruits, spices, and a discreet woody dimension. Le Haut-Médoc d’Issan 2019 will accompany a grilled rib steak, duck breast, rack of lamb, veal chop with mushrooms, or aged cheeses.
Grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
