With a history dating back to 1152, Château d'Issan was established as a third growth in the 1855 classification. By 1945 when the Cruse family purchased this storybook Margaux property with its 17th century Château and moat, it was a shadow of its former self with just 2ha in production. With 44ha planted to 60% Cabernet and 40% Merlot, the Cruse family sold 50% to Jacky Lorenzetti in 2013. D'Issan is now firing on all cylinders, producing a wine that is both fleshy and structured. Up to 40% of the production is declassified into a second wine (Blason d’Issan).

Beychevelle is often described as the Versailles of Bordeaux, due to its spectacular château and gardens. Beychevelle’s origins go back to the mid-1400s and the estate was renovated and rebuilt in the second half of the 18th Century. It is now owned (since 2011) by the Japanese Suntory company in partnership with Pierre Castel, head of Castel Freres. The 75ha of St-Julien vineyards are planted on deep, gravelly soils – 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot – and increasingly farmed organically. A striking new glass-walled winery was completed in 2016. Chateau Beychevelle, classified Quatrième Cru (Fourth Growth), is a traditionally-styled Bordeaux wine full of cassis, earth, spice and tobacco notes that ages well.

Chateau Montrose is a second Grand Cru Classé estate in St-Estephe and is considered one of the leading wine properties of the appellation. Located in the eastern half of the appellation just 800 metres from the Gironde estuary, the propertys proximity to the water provides a unique micro-climate that protects the vines from frost. The Grand Vin is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, that appears very powerful and austere in its youth, with a backbone of firm tannins that provides exceptional longevity.