CHÂTEAU D'ISSAN
BORDEAUX, FRANCE 2022
WHY BUY: James Suckling named this his No. 1 Wine of the Year for 2025, and reportedly he and his staff loved it so much that they polished off the bottle in 20 minutes. We're right there with them. This is a GEM. Lay in for some cases, folks. You won't be sorry. Oh, and when was the last time you saw a Margaux from a 12th century estate with a score (98 points) that is higher than its price tag ($89)?
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: James Suckling didn't just award 98 points to the 2022 Château d’Issan and crown it his Wine of the Year, he also declared it "probably the greatest wine ever from here." His enthusiasm is palpable: "This is really luxurious, showing blackcurrants and orange peel with cedar and dried-mushroom aromas following through to a medium to full body that grows on the palate. … [A]n elegant, classical Bordeaux way. … So much energy and vibe. So complex... already a joy to taste.”
OUR TASTING NOTES: At first sip, you understand why Suckling's team couldn't stop pouring. This is a serious and impressive wine, but also a wine that’s deeply irresistible. The interplay of elements is gorgeous: blackcurrant richness meeting citrus brightness, with cedar and earthy mushroom notes in the background to bring depth, nuance, dimension. The tannins are beautifully developed, and tell you that here is a wine destined for a long life … if you can hold off that long. Most impressive of all is that, for a wine of this size and seriousness, it’s got terrific energy, never letting you forget that it’s a living, changing thing. The finish is long and deep, and lingers with a slightly chewy character. A memorable Margaux.
THE STORY: Here's a question: what do you do when you inherit a 12th-century estate that's been making wine since Eleanor of Aquitaine served it at her wedding to the future King of England, but that property’s in need of some TLC? If you're the Cruse family, you roll up your sleeves and get to work. When the Cruses acquired Château d'Issan in 1945, the property had been battered by war, phylloxera, and general abandonment. The vineyard needed replanting, the facilities needed modernizing, and the reputation needed rebuilding. Fast-forward to 1998, when Emmanuel Cruse took over management and decided that being a respected Third Growth wasn't enough; he wanted d'Issan competing with the best wines Margaux could produce. The transformation has been methodical, laborious … and expensive. New optical sorters, temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, renovated vathouses, gravity-flow systems: they have spared little expense. They also increased selection dramatically, directing more fruit to the Grand Vin and raising quality across the board. In 2012, the Lorenzetti family (who also own Château Pédesclaux in Pauillac) joined forces with the Cruses, bringing additional resources and ambition to the project. The estate itself sits at the southern end of Margaux, neighbors to Palmer and Prieuré Lichine, and it would be hard to imagine more optimal conditions for a venture with ambition. The soil is pure gravelly goodness, stressing the vines and forcing them to develop deep root systems. In other words, exactly the kind of terroir that makes winemakers salivate. And wine drinkers swoon.
WHAT TO PAIR IT WITH: This is classic Margaux elegance, so be sure to treat it accordingly. The obvious pairing is roasted rack of lamb with a wild herb crust, but it’s going to go beautifully alongside seared duck breast or a perfectly aged ribeye. Given its refinement and structure, of course, it can also dance with more delicate preparations, so set it aside for the next time you roast a chicken.
FUN FACT: Château d'Issan's harvest team is half Danish. Literally. For more than a decade, the estate has partnered with a Danish school, bringing students to pick grapes each autumn. The other half consists of neighbors, family, and friends, creating what might be the most convivial harvest crew in Bordeaux.
OUR GUARANTEE: We've secured this Wine of the Year directly from the château to ensure perfect provenance. At this price-to-quality ratio, we fully expect that our allocation is going to disappear quickly. Secure your cases today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Summer 2026. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NE, NY, OK & TN. This offer will expire on Wednesday, January 21st, 2026.