Château Giscours Margaux 2019 - 3ème Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

This huge 300-hectare estate (80 hectares of which are farmed), located in Labarde, has had a turbulent history, due to tricky 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 those of its rival.

Decanter

About the wine:

Superb floral aromas, so perfumed and pretty, burst from the glass, with an incredibly vibrant pink/purple color. On the palate, the flavors are excellent, the fruit is bright and brilliant, the terroir expresses itself very well and the tannins are supple and smooth. The warmth of the vintage is evident in the density and depth of the slightly spicy red and black fruits, but also in the juicy, bright acidity that supports the fruit and maintains freshness. Full of elegance, precision and confidence - all in harmony with coherence and persistence. A wonderful wine. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot. 2025 - 2039

Guide Hachette des vins

About the domain :

Giscours is one of the Médoc's largest estates (100 ha), commanded by a monumental château built by the banking family of the Counts de Pescatore to accommodate Empress Eugenie when she visited 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:

Giscours 2019 revealed itself very well in bottle, releasing sweet berry, cherry, fiery ember, lilac and violet aromas in the glass framed by a discreet patina of new oak. Full-bodied, layered and concentrated, it's polished and perfumed, with a velvety, seamless profile and lively acids. It finishes long and resonant. Alexandre Van Beek and his team are taking this estate to heights it hasn't reached since the 1970s, and it's another of the great bargains of the 2019 en primeur campaign.

About the domain :

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

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.

Vinous A. Galloni

About the wine:

Giscours 2019 is just as convincing today as it was in barrel. Dark and sumptuous to the touch, Giscours shows remarkable dimension and breadth. Luscious flavors of black cherry, plum, leather, tobacco, menthol and licorice intensify as this gorgeous, layered Margaux builds with time in the glass. This 2019 is a great wine, but not quite as exuberant as the 2018. Tasted twice. 2029 - 2049

James Suckling

About the wine:

A ripe, layered red wine with lots of cassis and chocolate character, as well as some walnut and cocoa powder. Crushed stones too. Full and layered with round tannins and a juicy, opulent texture. Crushed velvet that turns to silk. Very fresh and long. Lots going on here. Give it 3-4 years to blossom. But it will age beautifully for years to come. A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot. Try it after 2026.

Terre de Vins

About the wine:

A very delicate nose with a beautiful sweetness and at the same time freshness. The attack confirms this freshness. The 65% Cabernet Sauvignon characterizes this wine, combining power and smoothness. The finish is very long, a lesson in balance. A great 2019.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

The bouquet of Giscours is full of finesse. It reveals itself slowly through red berry, licorice and garrigue aromas. On the palate, the wine stands out for its finesse, density and freshness. It has character and vivacity. The tannins are tight but fine-grained. The tannins are tightly wound but finely grained, providing a backbone of unsuspected power that's supportive but not overpowering. Great length. Good return of fruit on the finish. A wine that will need time. I've rarely tasted a Giscours with such vigor, length and perspective. It has by no means said its last word and I think it will surprise many during its evolution. 2027 - 2049

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

Freshness and purity are the watchwords of this wine. The intensity of the perfume, with all its violets, lilacs and roses, as well as tobacco leaf, black and red fruits, damp earth, spices and smoke, draws the attention. But I love the silky texture of the palate with all its depth and richness, purity of fruit, liveliness and length. This is the best vintage produced in the long history of Château Giscours. It will age effortlessly for 2-3 decades. Drink from 2026 to 2055.