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The Château d'Issan is a magnificent moated estate nestled in the heart of the Margaux vineyard in the Médoc. This wine was notably served in 1152 at the wedding of Eleanor of Aquitaine to Henry Plantagenet of England, and was much appreciated several centuries later by the Prince of Wales in the 1720s, as well as by Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria.
This reputation earned it the following motto on its label: Regum Mensis Aris que Deorum, "For the table of kings and the altar of the gods".
The Château d'Issan was named Third Grand Cru Classé in the famous 1855 classification for Médoc wines.
Today equally owned by the Cruse and Lorenzetti families, the vineyard is planted on a sumptuous deep gravel terroir, with 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec. The wines are aged for 16 to 18 months in French oak barrels, 50% of which are new.
One Second wine, Blason d'Issan, and a third wine, Haut-Médoc d'Issan en appellation Haut-Médoc, are produced by the estate.
The Château d'Issan is renowned for its flamboyant, aristocratic style, where the wines are complex and exquisite.
THROUGH THE SEASONS
Once again this year, winter is marked by alternating mild and cold weather. March arrived, with 172 mm of rainfall and temperatures hovering around 26°C for the last few weeks. The mild spring let nature wake up 01 days early. Thanks to the indulgent weather conditions, the vines began to bud on March 25. At the same time, France was hit by spring frosts, which hit the region on April 7. Thanks to the privileged geographical location 600 m from the Gironde estuary, the Clos d'Issan's historic plots were preserved. The month of April appears exceptionally dry, the eleventh since 1959! The Réserves of water in the terroir meant that the vines did not suffer from the drought. Flowering was optimal, starting on May 13. Summer and rising temperatures set in at the beginning of June. After some rain at the beginning of July, fine weather returned at the end of the month, with temperatures at seasonal norms. Veraison began on July 21.
HARVEST CONDITIONS
Clement weather enabled the 2021 harvest to begin with the Merlot plots on Monday September 27. Malbec and Petit Verdot followed on September 03, and Cabernet Franc on October 2. During the 2nd week, the increasingly generous sunny spells were characterized by morning temperatures of 4°C, allowing the grapes to retain their freshness. In the afternoons, temperatures rose to an average of 24°C, giving the grapes the benefit of a fine late season. The Cabernet Sauvignon harvest took place from October 4 to 9 in glorious sunshine, revealing optimal ripeness and some very fine Cabernet.
BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE VINTAGE
The parcel-by-parcel vinification process continues in the gravity-fed vat room. The first run-offs of Merlot began on October 18 and finished on November 9 with Cabernet Sauvignon. Blending took place on January 18, in the presence of consultant oenologist Éric Boissenot and our technical team. Under the sign of great Cabernet, the first tastings reveal a real balance between density and fine tannins. Rich in surprises, the profile of the 2021 vintage suggests similarities with 2014.
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Founded in 1971, the Club Trésors de Champagne is a very exclusive circle that brings together 25 of the region’s finest artisan winemakers. United by a love for their terroir, respect for traditional craftsmanship, and a vision for the future, these exceptional winemakers have been rigorously selected for the excellence of their work. Membership in the club is granted only upon sponsorship by one or more existing members.
For them, champagne is not just a celebratory drink; it is a unique story told through every bottle.
The “Spécial Club” cuvée
Being a member of this highly exclusiveclub allows winemakers to produce a unique, vintage-dated prestige cuvée: the Spécial Club. Recognized as the ultimate symbol of their expertise, this cuvée undergoes a rigorous process to ensure impeccable quality.
To earn this coveted “label,” each bottle must pass through rigorous stages:
