2023

Château Giscours

Margaux AOP, 3ème Cru Classé, Impériale

Die ältesten Parzellen des als 3ème Cru Classé klassifizierten Château Giscours wurden bereits 1923 angelegt und tragen noch heute zur Komplexität des Grand Vin bei. Er besticht durch seine aromatische Komplexität und ein feines Tanningerüst. In der Nase entfalten sich Aromen von dunklen Früchten, am Gaumen dominieren raffinierte, seidige Tannine, die dem Wein eine beeindruckende Langlebigkeit verleihen.

Presse

96-97 Punkte James Suckling
This really expands in the mouth, with tight tannins that are polished and velvety. The fruit shows depth and purity. Medium to full body. Juicy center-palate. Like the ripe fruit in the center palate. The quality of the tannins in this rises to a new level. The tannins pull you through the wine. 71% cabernet sauvignon, 7% cabernet franc and the rest merlot.

94-96 Punkte Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (William Kelley)
The 2023 Giscours is one of the real successes of the vintage, unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries, cherries and red fruits mingled with hints of undergrowth, violets and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's seamless and concentrated, with a fleshy core of fruit framed by ripe, powdery tannins and succulent acids, concluding with a long, broad finish. It's a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. Now fully in the control of the Albada family, Château Giscours is at last about to construct a new winery, which should be operational for the 2027 vintage. The first new plantings using the estate's proprietary massal selections are also taking place. So, evolutions at this dynamic Margaux property continue to be fast-paced. In 2023, temperature lows were classic (aided, no doubt, by the large lake that serves as a kind of natural air conditioner at the heart of the estate's vineyards), even if highs were well above average. The team dared to wait for full maturity of their Cabernet Sauvignon, harvesting in multiple passages through each parcel according to vine age, as is now the norm at this address, to produce a wine of real character and plenitude that's a worthy follow-up to the terrific 2022.

95 Punkte Falstaff (Peter Moser)
Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zart tabakig, Nugat, schwarze Waldbeeren, ein Hauch von frischen Feigen, einladendes Bukett. Saftig, elegant, kandierte Veilchen, reife Pflaumen, runde Tannine, stoffig und anhaftend, gute Balance, etwas Schokolade im Abgang, gute Länge, salziger Nachhall, sehr trinkanimierend, hat gutes Potenzial.

90-92 Punkte Vinous (Neal Martin)
The 2023 Giscours was picked between September 6 and October 6, a month-long harvest at an average of 31hL/ha, lower than usual due to the loss of Merlot. This has a higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon (71%). No sulfites were added until fermentation, and the élevage includes 50% new oak. This sample was taken from a foudre that represents a combination of barrels; I tasted it three times thereafter. It has a classically styled bouquet, less open and concentrated than the 2022, but well-defined with graphite-tinged black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with a bright entry, a crisp line of acidity and fresh black fruit, with a noticeable marine/briny influence that guides the finish. This is not a powerful Giscours and doesn't quite have the persistence of the previous vintage, but I admire its linearity and classicism.