2016 Chateau d'Issan Grand Cru Classe Margaux

Harvest from 29th September to 19th October

An unparalleled summer

The Medoc vineyards “enjoyed” continuous rain from 1st January to the beginning of June! The drainage work carried out in 1995 on the Chateau d’Issan estate, makes it possible to regulate the amount of water irrigating each plot. The vines’ roots reach down very deep, which makes their water supply regular. The rain stopped in the first week of June and flowering was uniform and abundant.

Lasting sunshine began from 20th June onwards. The whole summer was dry and hot until 13th September, when heaven-sent rain brought much-needed water to the vines. 33 mm of rainfall covered the estate evenly, waking up the vines and kick-starting the ripening process.

The strength of the Château d’Issan estate

85% of the vines that grow here are more than 25 years old. We noticed no stress from lack of water and the vines’ growth cycle was uninterrupted. Thanks to the water reserves contained in the soil that had built up during the first half of the year, the vineyard was ready for harvesting to start with no precipitation. The Indian summer that followed, the reliability of the weather forecasts and the substantial variation between daytime and night temperatures throughout September, peaking at a difference of 20°C, all enabled the grape tannins to ripen slowly step by step.

The harvest was very similar to that of 2010, but volumes were higher!

In 2016, picking began on 29th September and finished on 19th October. Yields were good, mainly as a result of good weather and short, even flowering. When the fruit was tasted on the vines, from the outset the vintage was recognised to be very promising without the grapes appearing overripe from the summer heat and drought.

2016 is a vintage with outstanding balance.

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