Château Giscours 2001

The deep plum/purple-colored 2001 exhibits notes of melted licorice, barbecue spices, violets, black currants, and a hint of blackberries. Medium-bodied and fleshy, with a cunning style that sneaks up on the palate, building in increments, this pure, rich, concentrated yet elegant, charming effort provides further evidence of this chateau’s strong rebound. Anticipated maturity: now-2015.

Incredible aromas of flowers, currants, blackberries, and minerals. Full-bodied, with a supersolid core of fruit, incredibly finely knit tannins and a finish that goes on and on. This is really superb. Much better than from barrel. Giscours is really going places. Best after 2009. 26,665 cases made.

It may have had a few winemaking controversies in recent years, but Giscours is now on a roll, under the ownership of Dutch businessman Eric Albada Jelgersma. How good it is, is shown in the 2001 wine, which is generous, almost opulent, rich and dense. Despite the richness, though, this is still Bordeaux: Dry tannins, tarry black-fruit flavors and firmness place the wine definitely at the table.

Following the 2000, the 2001 seems finer in style with more zest and energy. The colour is deep and the bouquet complex with floral and red and dark fruit notes as well as a hint of mint. The attack on the palate is ripe then the wine sails along on freshness, length and drive. The finish is serious and firm. Altogether it's a harmonious and agreeable wine. The 'hidden-gem' pick.

Very perfumed and delicately fruity with plums and violets. Full body with super-integrated tannins and a clean finish. Lovely texture to this red. Drink now.

Glossy crimson. Sophisticated nose with very good quality oak. Very attractive balance and lovely freshness above all. Not a heavyweight but a very attractive wine. Good length and integrity. Lovely already. Pavillon Rouge? (JR)

The 2001 Giscours has a far superior bouquet to the 2000, with black cherries, iris flower, crushed stone and light graphite scents. There is much better delineation and more vigour than the previous vintages. The palate is very well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, pliant in the mouth, with a judicious touch of white pepper towards the finish that lingers. Drinking beautifully.

With a perfume filled with blackberries, earth, tobacco, smoke and cedar scents, this silky, medium bodied Margaux wine ends with an elegant, cassis filled finish. Another 2-3 years will more complexity to the wine. The wine was made using a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot.

Deep, rich ruby-purple. Fruity bouquet with a floral spicy edge: wild cherries, damson plums, stewed lingonberries and Dominican tobacco, with a delicate hint of cedar. Full-bodied, textured palate, fleshy tannins, peach stone notes, gently grainy extract, balanced astringency, long finish with a softly powdery feel.

02: Dark, deep ruby-purple. Fruity bouquet with floral spice, wild cherries, Damson plums, cooked lingonberries and dominant Dominican tobacco, with a delicate hint of cedar. Full, dense palate, fleshy tannins, peach stone aromas, gently firm extract, balanced astringency, long finish with a softly mealy aftertaste. (17/20). 11: I had clearly underestimated the wine at the en primeur tasting. We have now drunk a magnum in the Weinkeller Zug cellar. Mulberries, compact sweetness, nicely expansive. On the palate, velvety, harmonious and elegant, with tremendous aromatic intensity. It has moved up a point today. (19/20). 16: Magnum. Beautiful, bright purple-garnet. Delivering a brilliant bouquet: lots of ripe, small, almost candied fruits, herbal notes, first hints of tobacco and fresh leather tones. With more air it becomes ever more complex and also sweeter. On the palate, velvety and dense, with soft contours and virtually at the top level, as the rounded tannins radiate great charm. Enormous pleasure at a very high level. P.S. When decanting, it somehow smelled of Echézeaux—very Burgundian. (18/20). 16: Beautiful, bright purple-garnet. Delivering a brilliant bouquet: lots of ripe, small, almost candied fruits, herbal notes, first hints of tobacco and fresh leather tones. With more air it becomes ever more complex and also sweeter. On the palate, velvety and dense, with soft contours and virtually at the top level, as the rounded tannins radiate great charm. Enormous pleasure at a very high level. P.S. When decanting, it somehow smelled of Echézeaux—very Burgundian.

Lactic, sweet bouquet with strawberry jelly, caramel and pralines. Velvety, sweet, fruity palate with a creamy texture, finely powdery tannins, intense aromatics and a sweet finish. 17/20 drink – 2025

Vibrant and finessed, a real reminder that the best Bordeaux ages slowly and keeps delivering. Understated, with a creamy texture that suggests beautifully ripe fruits and well defined tannins, delivers grip and length, cassis, mint leaf, and a seductive charm, draws you in and keeps you engaged. 50% new oak, harvest September 28 to October 12. Jacques Boissenot consultant.

Beautifully balanced, with vibrant fruit and well-handled, seamlessly integrated ageing. The wine is very luscious and silky, with lovely, mellow tannins. A fine, lingering finish.

Deep colour, of normal intensity and showing some development. The nose is more aromatic than the 2000. Notes of ripe fruit, a touch of smoke and a hint of cream. On the palate, this is a thoroughly enjoyable, distinctly hedonistic wine, with delicate flesh and quite complex flavours, especially from mid-palate to the finish, where it becomes very hard to spit. It is very good and less striking than the 2000, while its seamless texture is enchanting. Blend: 60% cabernet sauvignon, 40% merlot.