2019 Chateau Giscours Margaux

Winemaker Notes: With the 2019 vintage we aimed to preserve Château Giscours’ signature style, its power and structure, while at the same time working on two characteristics that we especially appreciate: the aromatic palette and the finesse of the tannins. The Merlot revealed different characteristics depending on the terroir and the harvest date. Some were juicy, fruity, and bursting with freshness, while others, with a more advanced degree of ripeness, presented a magnificent roundness and a much more voluptuous character. For the Cabernet, we decided to delay harvesting in order to achieve the most complete maturity of the skins and therefore of the tannins. In the winery, we modified our extraction approach with a focus on the delicacy of the tannins. Maceration was based more on duration of contact between juice and skins than on the intensity of extraction. Our decisions were guided by tasting at every step. The objective was to give to the Cabernet the desired three-dimensional character with structure, freshness and density. Very precise and well-balanced, the 2019 vintage gives full expression to the Château Giscours refined style.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM


James Suckling - "A ripe and layered red with lots of currant and chocolate character, as well as some walnut and cocoa powder. Crushed stones, too. It’s full and layered with round tannins and a juicy and plush texture. Crushed velvet that turns to silk. Very cool and long. Plenty going on here. Give it three to four years to come together. But will age beautifully for years to come. A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot. Try after 2026."


Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - "The 2019 Giscours has turned out very well in bottle, wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet berries, cherries, burning embers, lilac and violets framed by a discreet patina of new oak. Full-bodied, layered and concentrated, it's polished and perfumed, with a velvety, seamless profile and bright animating acids, concluding with a long, resonant finish. Alexandre Van Beek and his team are taking this estate to heights it hasn't hit since the 1970s, and this is another of the great bargains of the 2019 en primeur campaign. Best after 2029."


Jeb Dunnuck - "Checking in as a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot, the 2019 Château Giscours is one heck of an impressive Margaux. Deep purple-hued, with a great nose of both black and blue fruits as well as sappy herbs, tobacco, and flowers, it has nicely integrated oak, medium to full body, ripe yet certainly present tannins, and a great finish. It's beautifully done. Hide bottles for 4-6 years and enjoy over the following two decades or so. Best after 2026. Rating: 94+"


Decanter - "This is a serious Giscours, with medium intensity violet-edged ruby colour. High aromatics on the nose with cumin and cloves, followed by black cherry and cassis fruits that do a good job of filling the palate, and a cooling menthol finish as the tannins close in. Enjoyable overall, succulent yet with precision. Harvest lasted for an entire month, from September 11 to October 12, the longest ever at the estate and a reflection of more precise plot-by-plot work, with vines separated according to age and terroir. Barrel Sample: 94"