Château Giscours 2021

Restrained, discreet, noble, forest berries, dried roses; slender, red fruit, fine-grained tannins, straightforward, precise, long-lasting with a raspberry note. Less complex than before, yet with charm and breed.

This has juicy energy to the dark cherry and currant notes, while sweet tobacco, earth and worn cedar accents fill in through the finish. A touch polished, which helps this stand out in the typically grainy vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2030. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 20,000 cases made.

Coffee beans, menthol, blackcurrants, roses and clove on the nose—super complex and inviting. Tangy, sharp and bright, the acidity is great but does give this quite a lean, almost austere frame, making it seem as if it's missing a bit of weight. Nicely worked in terms of clarity and precision but it doesn't have the concentration and density that some other Margaux wines have. Certainly finessed and elegant though, so give this a few more years to settle and soften. Good potential.

Outstanding for the vintage, this wine has true precision and beauty. Medium body, with flavors of currant and chocolate as well as some sandalwood and spice. Nicely balanced. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot, 3% petit verdot. Drink or hold.

The 2021 Giscours is not quite as showy as some recent vintages, but all the ingredients are there. Aromatic, deep and layered, with tremendous balance, the 2021 has so much to offer. Rose petal, mint, spice, orange peel and dried herbs are some of the notes that build. The 2021 is a wine of exquisite precision—bright and driving, with notable tension. It is seriously impressive at this stage.

Flowers, black cherries, menthol, spice, and forest leaves create attention-grabbing aromatics. The palate matches the nose with its freshness, silky textures, and layers of sweet, dark red fruits. You find touches of herbs, olives, cocoa, and mint that pop at the back of the finish, adding complexity and character. The wine blends 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2026–2050.

Dark ruby garnet colour with purple reflections, delicate ochre rim. Ripe black forest berries, fine precious wood savouriness, orange zest, multi-faceted bouquet. Medium complexity, savoury texture, integrated tannins, fresh acidity, a hint of Brett on the finish, a versatile food wine with good ageing potential.

65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot. Charming bouquet with ripe Alpine bilberry, seductive violet, licorice, and cooled Earl Grey tea. On the energetic palate, silky texture, ripe extract richness, deep, tightly knit tannin framework, and a well-toned body. In the straight-lined finish, dark-berry contours, dark graphite, and finely grained astringency.

Kunz barrel sample 2022: silky, fruity, elegant bouquet with delicate minerality; strawberry pralines, mulberries, balsa wood, flint. Elegant, tightly knit, fresh palate with powerful, fine fruit, dense, velvety structure, plenty of fine tannins, pronounced aromatics, long, dense, full finish. Has room to improve further.

Silky, fruity, elegant bouquet with delicate minerality, strawberry pralines, mulberries, balsa wood, flint. Elegant, tightly knit, fresh palate with powerful, refined fruit, dense, velvety structure, lots of fine tannins, intense aromatics, long, dense, full finish. Has room to improve. 18/20 2029 - 2050

Enticing vibrant ruby red colour, medium intensity. The fruit is savoury and lean, liquorice and rose petals, raspberry leaf, finessed and sculpted, Margaux typicity, carefully extracted and handled but more austere than recent vintages of Giscours. Alexander van Beek director, Thomas Duclos wine consultant. 38 hl/ha yield. Blend different from En Primeur (my mistake, as it added up to 105%!). Tasted twice.

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2021 Giscours needs a little swirling to unlock notes of fresh blackcurrants and kirsch plus nuances of sautéed herbs, graphite, and wet slate. The medium-bodied palate has an herbal line lifting the delicate black berry flavors, with lightly chewy tannins leading to a refreshing finish.

The château has evolved the style of its wines, pursuing finesse and balance. The 2021 follows this vein: a very composed, fluid and delicate wine. It remains crisp, and the finish is sapid. Already very pleasing. It retains the beautiful balance and silkiness that underpin its success.

A very delicate, graceful nose with true nobility, featuring beautiful floral notes (roses, peonies). On the palate, the wine offers an exquisite balance between freshness and roundness, with great finesse and an energy that fills the mouth. Boasting epic complexity, it gradually unfolds its different aromatic layers—sweet spices, sap, ripe fruit and menthol—over very fine, satin-like tannins.

Giscours has never sought exuberance, and it is obviously not in 2021 that this will change. On the other hand, the focus on subtlety and precision is once again emphasized, perhaps even more than usual. The symbiosis between élevage, terroir, and freshness is evident, accomplished, and compelling. The wine has body, power, and exceptional harmony. All the components showcase their strengths without any one of them dominating. The present vigor is well harnessed by a saline, mouthwatering acidic structure, propelling the wine into the unexpected qualitative heights of 2021. There are gems in this vintage; you just have to find them.

Dark, purple, and intense colour. The nose is slightly restrained, with ripe fruit. Precise on entry, savoury at mid-palate, with a supple, slender body, the wine finishes with a touch of wood on the persistent finish. Medium length.

The plots dedicated to the grand vin of château Giscours have yielded a nectar whose backbone is more than ever Cabernet Sauvignon. Both the nose and the attack combine power and freshness, finesse and character. Blackcurrant and herbal notes lead the aromatic complexity toward a very saline finish.

Dark spice aromas are here, along with rich tannins and structure, just hinting at the wood aging. The wine, from the south of the appellation, has a rich effect, while also having the Margaux elegance. It is beautifully finished.