Château d'Issan

About

Located in the heart of the appellation of Margaux, Château d'Issan enjoys a privileged location that explains the exceptional quality of its wines. The temperate climate, regulated by proximity to the ocean and estuary , offers vineyards ideal conditions for development.

Additional Information

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History

The history of Château d'Issan is above all a great story estate and transmissions. On inheritances weddings, the castle has indeed experienced several owners who all, in their own way contributed to the fame of the field and shaped its so unique. Former stronghold of the XII th century, the property was then called La Mothe Cantenac , before becoming the Théobon mansion, following the marriage of an heiress with a lord of the same name.

For nearly three centuries, many families will follow one another at the head of the soil: the Noailhan the Meyrac, the Segur, the Salignac, the De La Vergne, The Escodeca Boisse ... From 1575, five generations of the family 'Essenault succeeded and finally rename the property by contraction of their name: Château d'Issan was born.

Château d'Issan did not wait for the famous 1855 classification to distinguish themselves as 3 e Grand Cru Classé . The reputation of its wine dates back to the end of the XII th century as it was served at the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine to Henry Plantagenet, future King of England, 18 May 1152 .

After belonging to Foix Candale who had to abandon the Revolution, Château d'Issan passed into the hands increasingly involved in the fate of the property. In 1824, Jean-Baptiste Duluc took over the field and committed to Much work to improve the vineyard, before selling it to the Blanchy family. in 1866, Gustave Roy moved to the head of Château d'Issan: there built the first winery gravity and especially load replant vines battered by phylloxera.

During the interwar period, the operation is sadly neglected but soon will rise again under the impetus of the Cruse family, owners since 1945 . Under the leadership of Lionel Cruse, the castle was restored, modernized infrastructure, replanted the vineyard. Since 1998, thanks to investments made by his son Emmanuel Cruse - 3 e generation - in the vineyard and winery, the wines of Issan reflect more than ever the authenticity of the terroir.

In 2012, Françoise and Jacky Lorenzetti, also owners of Château Lilian Ladouys in Saint-Estèphe and Pauillac Chateau Pedesclaux, associate alongside the Cruse family. Through sheer tenacity, passion and courage, different generations have therefore worked in the revival of Château d'Issan who was able to regain all its former glory.

Practices & Techniques

The vineyard d'Issan is the subject of constant care to lead the grapes to perfect maturity . Everything is implemented so that each plot can be respected and offer the best fruit. In winter, the size of the Medoc kind , is made from an intimate knowledge of the vine and helps regulate future production.

In spring plowing is done the traditional way : by creating a better flow of air and water, they ensure optimal and natural recovery of the soil activity. Phytosanitary treatments are, in turn, applied in a reasoned way , to prevent bacteria plants, fungi and viruses.

Then comes the time of suckering and resawing to promote the maturation of fruit branches, steps soon relayed until summer, the green harvest and leaf removal that will ensure the concentration of clusters. The harvest is finally ready: manually performed with double sorting , they accommodate 80 people willing to harvest the work of a whole year ...

Upon receipt in the winery, a first selection is made on clusters and grapes are sorted again on a vibrating table and down by gravity in separate tanks to preserve the identity of parcels of Château d'Issan. We have 37 temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks , with capacities ranging from 70 to 200 hectoliters.

Estate Vineyards / AVA

From the Old Regime exploitation, it does not remain much: bad weather, wars, phylloxera episodes manhandled the area over the centuries. The vines today, aged 35 on average are primarily the result of the restructuring efforts made by the Cruse family after 1945.

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Address

Lieu-dit Château d'Issan
Cantenac, Gironde 33460
France

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