Château d’Issan, “Le Haut-Médoc d’Issan”

I had a sneaking suspicion we’d gotten away with robbery when first savoring today’s 2015 Le Haut-Médoc d’Issan because it exploded with Margaux/Pauillac swagger while flaunting a $39 price tag. And still, it would appear the broader world is not yet familiar with this epic Bordeaux label despite everyone bowing deeply to the pedigreed name behind it: Château d’Issan.This Grand Cru Classé property, rooted in 870 years of winemaking, has crafted some of the most consistently high-marking Margaux of the 21st century. But here’s the secret: Just a few miles west of their prized Third Growth estate lies a small stand of vines that fall just outside the famed Margaux designation. What does that mean for you? Well, although the label states “Haut-Médoc,” you’re still getting the same master craftsmanship and seductive Cab-Merlot blend as Issan’s Grand Vin. What’s not the same, however, is the price and production: This is 2-2.5x more affordable and 6x more limited! Love Margaux? The 2015 vin