Some red cherries and plums with cedar and clove notes on the nose. This is a full-bodied red with soft tannins, lovely acidity and a long, floral finish. Structured Giscours.
Reviews:
- Wine Advocate: Tasted at the Château Giscours vertical and a few months later again at the property, the 2012 Château Giscours is a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc picked between September 27 and October 17. It has a rather conservative nose with raspberry, fresh strawberry, tobacco and light licorice scents. The palate is medium-bodied with supple black fruit, but with slightly aggressive acidity. Like the 2013, though to a lesser extent, it needs to show a little more concentration and finesse on the finish; but otherwise, enjoy this over the next decade or so.
- James Suckling: This has a noticeable pepper and charcoal backdrop, but the core of black tea, crushed plum and warm currant confiture holds sway overall, while refined tannins carry the finish. Should fill out a bit more with cellaring.
Producer Information
Château Giscours is a well-regarded wine estate in the Margaux appellation of the Haut-Médoc region just north of Bordeaux city. It was rated as a third growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification and, since the 1990s, it has moved from being a Merlot-dominant wine to a more long-lived blend, typically of 75 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 25 percent Merlot. The Giscours vineyard is one of the largest on the Left Bank with 165 hectares (407 acres) in total. Of this, 102 hectares (252 acres) falls within the Margaux appellation. This vineyard is planted 60 percent to Cabernet Sauvignon with 32 percent Merlot, 5 percent Cabernet Franc and 3 percent Petit Verdot. The second wine, La Sirène de Giscours, comes from a selection of fruit from the youngest vines. Additionally, a 63-hectare (156-acre) plot, adjacent to Giscours but outside the Margaux boundary, provides the fruit for Le Haut Médoc de Giscours. Château Duthil is a made from a selection of the best Haut-Médoc plots and also vinified at Giscours. The range is completed by Le Rosé de Giscours.
