{"title":"Le Haut Medoc d'Issan","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"le-haut-medoc-dissan-2015","title":"Le Haut Medoc d'Issan 2015","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLe Haut Médoc d'Issan 2015\u003c\/strong\u003e is a Left Bank Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Produced by Château d'Issan — a historic Third Growth estate in Margaux — this is the château's third wine, sourced from dedicated plots in the commune of Arsac within the Haut-Médoc appellation, where the vines sit alongside parcels belonging to other Classed Growths.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France  |  Vintage: 2015  |  Producer: Château d'Issan\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eChâteau d'Issan is one of Bordeaux's most storied estates, classified as a Troisième Grand Cru Classé in the 1855 Classification and rooted in centuries of winemaking in Margaux. Le Haut Médoc d'Issan draws its fruit from plots located roughly five kilometers west of the main estate in the village of Arsac, firmly within the Haut-Médoc appellation. Annual production is limited to approximately 18,000 bottles — around 1,500 cases — making this a small-production cuvée that applies Issan's meticulous viticulture to a distinct terroir. The blend centers on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the classic pillars of Left Bank Bordeaux.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e The nose opens with restrained dark berry fruit — plum and blackcurrant — before moving into mild graphite, black pepper, and toasty oak. A subtle earthy undertone adds complexity as the wine breathes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e On the palate, the entry is juicy and plum-driven, with blackberry and cassis filling the mid-palate. Medium-bodied and moderately structured, the wine shows notes of tobacco, vanilla, and licorice alongside a thread of cedar. Tannins are medium-grained and round, giving the wine accessible but genuine Bordeaux architecture.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e The finish is moderate in length with lingering redcurrant, earthy mushroom, and a faint dusting of oak spice. It closes clean and dry, inviting another sip without heaviness.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Le Haut Médoc d'Issan\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis claret drinks well at cellar temperature (around 16–18°C) after 20 to 30 minutes of decanting, which helps open the Cabernet structure and soften the tannins. It is primarily a wine for the table rather than the cocktail bar, and pairs naturally with classic red-meat dishes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroducing a curious drinker to serious Left Bank Bordeaux without a steep investment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePairing with a weekend roast lamb or grilled côte de boeuf dinner\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilding a mixed case of 2015 Bordeaux for medium-term cellaring\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting a Bordeaux enthusiast something from a classified-growth estate at an accessible tier\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Le Haut Médoc d'Issan taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e It delivers a medium-bodied profile of dark plum, blackberry, and cassis layered with toasty oak, tobacco, and cedar. Tannins are round and approachable, with earthy undertones that lend classic Left Bank character.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Le Haut Médoc d'Issan compare to Moulin d'Issan?\u003c\/strong\u003e Both are \"confidential cuvées\" produced by Château d'Issan outside its grand vin and Blason d'Issan programs, but Moulin d'Issan carries a Bordeaux Supérieur designation while Le Haut Médoc d'Issan comes from Haut-Médoc-appellation fruit in Arsac. The Haut-Médoc bottling tends to show firmer Cabernet structure owing to its terroir.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Le Haut Médoc d'Issan good for sipping on its own?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — its medium body and round tannins make it approachable enough to enjoy without food, particularly after brief decanting to let the oak and fruit integrate fully.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Le Haut Médoc d'Issan made?\u003c\/strong\u003e It is produced by Château d'Issan, a Third Growth estate based in Margaux on Bordeaux's Left Bank. The fruit for this specific cuvée comes from vineyards in Arsac, about five kilometers west of the main estate, within the Haut-Médoc appellation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Le Haut Médoc d'Issan?\u003c\/strong\u003e Roast leg of lamb benefits from the wine's cedar and dark-fruit richness. Grilled ribeye steak matches the moderate tannin structure well. Duck confit echoes the earthy, mushroom-tinged undertones. Aged Comté or Gruyère bridges the toasty oak notes. A classic beef bourguignon mirrors the wine's savory, plum-driven character.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Le Haut Médoc d'Issan come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e The standard release is a 750ml bottle. No widely documented alternative formats have been confirmed for this cuvée.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Le Haut Médoc d'Issan worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e It positions as an entry-level expression within the Château d'Issan family, delivering Left Bank Bordeaux character from a classified-growth producer at a fraction of the grand vin price. For drinkers seeking authentic Haut-Médoc quality from an esteemed estate, it represents strong value in its tier.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Le Haut Médoc d'Issan?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe strongest argument for this wine is provenance: it is made by the same team behind a Third Growth Margaux, drawing on Château d'Issan's generations of viticultural expertise. The Arsac plots sit among vineyards belonging to other Classed Growths, giving the fruit a genuine pedigree that most wines at this price point cannot claim. With only around 1,500 cases produced each vintage, availability is limited, and the 2015 Bordeaux vintage is widely regarded as one of the decade's finest for ripe, balanced reds. For anyone seeking a serious Left Bank claret from a benchmark estate without the premium of its higher-tier siblings, this bottling earns its place on the table.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Le Haut Medoc d'Issan","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44837880430761,"sku":"33546","price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/Le-Haut-Medoc-d-Issan__94319.jpg?v=1730498144"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/le-haut-medoc-d-issan.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}