Château Giscours 2022

Ripe raspberries, cherry, elderberry, cool smoke, liquorice, herbs, floral notes; compact palate, incredibly dense, crisp fruit, the finest tannins, great tension, sensational fruit; juicy, long-lasting, perfectly balanced. Will age beautifully.

The 2022 Giscours has realized all the potential it showed en primeur, wafting from the glass with a deep bouquet of sweet berries, mint, rose petals and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's textural and enveloping, built around lively acids and sweet powdery tannins, concluding with a long, resonant finish. As I pondered two years ago, why is the 2022 so good? There are many reasons, but one is the high proportion of old vines—almost 60% of the blend derives from vines that are over 50 years old—in a vintage that favored vines with deep, well-established root systems. Another is the increasing precision of harvesting at this address: Giscours's old vines are frequently co-planted with younger replacements that have filled any gaps in the ranks over the years; so, blocks are now picked in two or three passages instead of all at once, with the younger vines picked first. The team also adapted hedging practices to limit hydric stress, which helps to explain the sweetness of the tannins.

Richly aromatic on the nose – scents of fresh flowers, bramble fruit and cherry stones. Smooth and succulent, a gorgeous texture – silky and glossy with crunchy and juicy fruit and fine but powdery tannins that fill the mouth. It's still quite upfront, not totally settled, but utterly charming in its presentation of flavours and textures. Clean and crystalline, it feels sophisticated and complex, expanding vertically rather than being too streamlined and straight. Plump, ripe, round and well worked. It feels very precise and purposeful, and I love the minty lift on the finish that just makes you want to take another sip. It has taken the best from the vintage and delivered a really engaging wine.

Stunning aromas of blackcurrants, dark mushrooms and black cherries with forest-floor notes. Full body that fills your mouth with fine, caressing tannins and dark, flavorful fruit. The tannins are very intense and structural, spreading across the palate in layers and giving intensity and energy. Plenty of energy and verve here. This has gravity, too. 64% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 3% petit verdot and 3% cabernet franc. Best after 2029.

The 2022 Giscours has a very classy, sophisticated bouquet with mineral-laden black fruit, wilted violet and crushed stone, precise with seamlessly integrated oak. The palate is silky smooth, beautifully balanced, fleshy and ripe with wonderful depth. Caressing, so much so that it disguises its power, plus there is impressive length and complexity on the finish. Clearly one of the best wines of the last decade. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.

Intense, rich, sensuous, and lively, this stunning wine opens with a vibrant display of violets, roses, and lilacs, transitioning into an assortment of spices, black cherries, plums, and black raspberries on the nose. It boasts ample volume, depth, and breadth, with everything remaining balanced, lifted, and fresh. The refined, creamy finish seals the deal. The wine is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2028–2055.

Has energy and lift, brambled hedgerow, good tension and controlled power, slate, crayon, sage, liquorice, crushed rocks, highly successful Giscours. Axel Marchal consultant, Alexander Van Beek director, 50% new oak for ageing.

A noble bouquet offering a meditative, harmonious aromatic palette, where wild blueberry mingles with the subtle minerality of oyster shell. On the palate, it feels very natural, with the succulent charm of perfectly ripe small fruits—utterly delightful.

Giscours’ bouquet presents itself with a serenity I have rarely observed in this wine! The outstanding level of this 3rd Grand Cru Classé of Margaux needs no further proof; above all, it is about recounting its many strengths, its nuances, and the reasons why it can orbit among the very greatest wines of the appellation. The symbiosis between ripe and fresh fruit—eucalyptus, raspberries, gentle spices, and licorice—is inviting and convincing. Sapid and powerful from the very first touch on the palate, the wine impresses with its ability to shine as much for its finesse as for its power. The latter is measured, orderly, and well-directed, with austerity and acidity as precious allies. An almost cerebral wine, yet fortunately the tactile character prevails thanks to a structuring, mouthwatering acidity. A powerful and, above all, precise wine!

The nose is fresh, spicy, peppery, deep and precise, offering good definition, a certain depth and a powdery grain. Racy and peppery. The wine benefits from decanting. There are notes of Boysenberry, crushed raspberry and, more lightly, lily and lilac, with touches of nutmeg, a hint of smoke and discreet hints of eucalyptus. A very discreet hint, almost like fresh saffron (on its floral side) / red clover. The palate is beautifully handled, supple, fresh, mineral, balanced, and offers a tangy framework. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of juicy/fresh blackcurrant, juicy/fresh raspberry and, more lightly, fresh violet, along with lovely little touches of eucalyptus/sage, a fine hint of cornflower, and subtle hints of cocoa, tobacco and a delicate touch of toast. The tannins are chalky, fresh and indulgent. Good length. Lovely power and persistence. A subtle buttery/toasty note on the finish.

Warmed cassis and plum notes form the core, while lilting lilac, violet and iris accents stream throughout. Offers a flash of black tea on the finish, along with a beguiling, cashmerelike mouthfeel. Judicious toast lets it all play out beautifully. A pitch-perfect example of the vintage profile. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2026 through 2040. 15,000 cases made.

This great estate, with its mix of park, woods and vines, is reliably producing a very fine wine. Ripe, succulent, with powerful tannins cushioned by solid fruit, the wine's toast and spice aroma and firm structure are impressive. Drink from 2029.