Château Giscours Margaux 2016 - 3ème Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

This huge 300-hectare estate (80 hectares of which are farmed) in Labarde has had a turbulent history, due to a series of delicate family successions. The vines have remained in the Tari family since 1952, but the wine is made by a talented team under the direction of Alexander van Beek, inspired by the courage of the recently deceased Eric Albada Jelgersma. As the estate's farmer, he restored it to its former glory. Because of its terroir, this cru produces a particularly colorful, full-bodied Margaux that can be laid down for a very long time, with a character quite different from the crus of the northern part of the appellation. When successful, it can rival Château Palmer, but prices remain more reasonable than its rival.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

The deep ruby hue, with its brilliant reflections, is a real confidence booster. Shy at first, the bouquet opens up well with aeration, expressing the ripeness of the grapes. Ample, rich and round, the palate is supported by fine, tight tannins and perfectly controlled oak. A serious, intense Margaux, built for long ageing. 2023-2030

About the domain :

Giscours is one of the largest domains in the Médoc (100 ha), commanded by a monumental château built by the banking family of the Counts de Pescatore to welcome Empress Eugenie to her Biarritz resort. Very representative of the Médoc Grand Cru in terms of its buildings, Giscours is also representative in terms of its beautiful terroir of deep gravel and great homogeneity. This third-growth Margaux classé also owns parcels in the Haut-Médoc appellation for two labels: Ch. Duthil and Haut-Médoc de Giscours.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Deep garnet-purple in color, Giscours 2016 yields aromas of cassis, chocolate, earth, tar, pepper and hoisin sauce with hints of flowers and a fleshy nuance. The palate is medium to full-bodied, firm and grainy with a good core and long finish.

About the domain :

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

2016 is a serious, full-bodied, ripe Giscours. A well-built margaux with smooth tannins.

About the domain :

The vineyard, farmed by the Dutch Albada Jelgersma family, is run by the talented Alexander Van Beek. Let's leave aside the legal wrangling between the Tari family, who own the land, and the farmers, and focus on the wines. Giscours benefits from a first-rate terroir, and many older vintages bear witness to this. Like many other vineyards, it went through a period of decline in the 90s and 2000s. A major restructuring of the vineyard has enabled the cru to move forward again, and the latest vintages are returning to its full, intense style.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

This estate of almost 200 acres lies to the south of the Margaux appellation. The wine is another great success in a series of superb years. It's rich but the structure and finely textured fruit give it style and longevity. Drink this wine from 2026.

James Suckling

About the wine:

Attractive, bright aromas of ripe red plum and licorice with cedar, flowers and red fruit and a stony edge. A highly perfumed, Cabernet-driven nose. The palate has elegance and grace, with a chic, charming, balanced style and a discreet tannic structure that keeps the finish long and fresh. A blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Merlot. Try from 2023.

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

Intense red fruit, floral. Full-bodied, greedy, fresh, ample tannins, long finish, silky, coating wine. A great success.

Jean-Marc Quarin

About the wine:

Dark, intense, beautiful, youthful color. Very aromatic nose, fine, fruity, complex and even noble. Delicate on entry, meticulous in the middle, with a refined tannic texture, the wine tightens and beautifies at the same time on the finish, offering fine grain and sophisticated aromas reminiscent of red and white fruits. Excellent length. A style apart and so beautiful!