Chateau Giscours 2016

Although there was a defensive military tower standing on the land of Chateau Giscours, the real beginning occurred in 1555 when Pierre de Lhomme purchased a noble house called "Guyscoutz" He planted the first vines and slowly enlarged the estate. A myriad of owners followed, but in 1845 Count de Pescatore purchased the property and hired Pierrre Skawinski as manager. Pierre Skawinski may be one of the most influential people in the Bordeaux wine trade. He designed a plow which still bears his name but he had revolutionary ideas about using gravity to move wine. This is common place now, but it was revolutionary in the late 1800s. Pierre remained as manager for 50 years outlasting the Pescatore family as owners. The Cruse wine merchant family purchased the estate and quickly sold it in 1913. The vineyard fell into disrepair, at one time, only 10 hectares were bearing grapes. The Tari family purchased it and started to rebuild the estate. They sold in 1995 to Eric Jeigerma who still owns the Estate.

The 102 hectare vineyard of Chateau Giscours is planted to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. There has been an increase in the Cabernet Sauvignon percentage in recent years. The wine is one of the more masculine wines from Margaux. The estate has 63 hectares of vines in the Haut Medoc appelation, so there is a separate wine called Haut Medoc de Giscours which should not be confused as a Second wine from Chateau Giscours. It is an completely separate wine.

Wine Spectator: 92
This is on the darker side of the ledger, with well-melded black currant, blackberry and black cherry fruit, infused with brambly energy and allied to a graphite spine on the anise-tinged finish. Features a light woodsy echo at the very end, but there's plenty of flesh here. Best from 2022 through 2032. 34,667 cases made.

Wine Advocate: 93
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Giscours gives up aromas of cassis, chocolate, earth, tar, pepper and hoisin with touches of flowers and a meaty nuance. The palate is medium to full-bodied, firm and grainy with a great core and a long finish.

Decanter: 94
Concentrated autumnal fruit offers a hawthorny bramble of blackberry and bilberry. Big-framed, muscular tannins are joined by plenty of acidity - it's very clearly built to last and confident in its ability to reward those with patience. Matured in 50% new oak. Axel Marchal and Valerie Lavigne consult. Drinking Window 2026 - 2045.

Wine Enthusiast: 96
This nearly 200-acre estate lies in the south of the Margaux appellation. The wine is another great success in a series of superb years. It is rich but the structure and finely textured fruit give it style and longevity. Drink the wine from 2026. Cellar Selection.

Vinous: 94
The 2016 Giscours is complex, aromatically intense and beguiling, with myriad layers of flavors that unfold with time in the glass. Black cherry, sage, leather, smoke and menthol add plenty of intrigue, but above all else, it is the wine's balance and sense of harmony that make the deepest impression. Under the leadership of Alexander Van Beek and his team, Giscours has been on a roll over the last few years. The 2016 is another fine vintage.

Vinous: 94

The 2016 Giscours is complex, aromatically intense and beguiling, with myriad layers of flavors that unfold with time in the glass. Black cherry, sage, leather, smoke and menthol add plenty of intrigue, but above all else, it is the wine's balance and sense of harmony that make the deepest impression. Under the leadership of Alexander Van Beek and his team, Giscours has been on a roll over the last few years. The 2016 is another fine vintage.

James Suckling: 96
This has attractive, glossy, ripe red-plum and licorice aromas with cedar, flowers and red berries, as well as a stony edge. A very fragrant, cabernet-driven nose. The palate has elegance and grace with sleek and charming, balanced style and a discreet tannin structure that holds the finish long and fresh. A blend of 81 per cent cabernet sauvignon and 19 per cent merlot. Try from 2023.

Jeb Dunnuck: 93
The 2016 Château Giscours is fabulous stuff, offering a beautiful, complex (and classic Margaux) perfume of smoke tobacco, black currants, truffly earth, and spring flowers. Finesse-driven, medium-bodied, and seamless on the palate, it has ultra-fine tannins and no hard edges, and is already drinking beautifully. Nevertheless, it’s going to benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age and cruise for 20-25 years or more. The blend of the 2016 is 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Merlot and it’s well worth a case purchase.

Jeb Dunnuck: 93

The 2016 Château Giscours is fabulous stuff, offering a beautiful, complex (and classic Margaux) perfume of smoke tobacco, black currants, truffly earth, and spring flowers. Finesse-driven, medium-bodied, and seamless on the palate, it has ultra-fine tannins and no hard edges, and is already drinking beautifully. Nevertheless, it’s going to benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age and cruise for 20-25 years or more. The blend of the 2016 is 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Merlot and it’s well worth a case purchase.