Château Giscours Margaux 2020
- v96
- wa95+
- jd94+
- ws92
Category | Red Wine |
Varietals | |
Brand | Château Giscours |
Origin | France, Bordeaux, Margaux |
Château Giscours was named a Third Growth Grand Cru Classé in 1855, before the appellation of Margaux was even officially created. Over the centuries, this historic estate has maintained a reputation for excellence, and during our visit to Giscours in May 2024, we were incredibly impressed by every aspect of production from vineyard management with organic viticulture; their commitment to biodiversity and 'gentle' winemaking practices (such as on sulfites used in winemaking until very low amounts in the final blending to simply stabilize the wine); sustainable actions such as on-premise vegetable gardens and livestock on their farm; maintenance of a huge park and meadow.... it goes on and on! Giscours even provides housing on the property for all of their employees. This place is magical, and so are the wines.
During our visit, we were struck by how all the wines at this estate have a style which is 'very Giscours', meaning: full of flavor and complexity, silky, refined and balanced, fresh and aromatic, dense yet elegant, very precise in its expression of 'Margaux', and finally, remarkably approachable in youth, yet capable of aging for years or even decades, depending on the vintage.
For this 2020 vintage, the aim was to craft a rich wine which preserves the typical characteristics of Château Giscours. To achieve this, the objective was to work on two notions that are close to the heart of Giscours: aromatic brilliance and fine tannins. The technical team at Giscours took great care to give each plant individual attention. As vine-growers, Giscours has detailed knowledge of the terroir and individual rows or plots of vines, treated as micro-gardens that they tend with great care. The 2020 became a voluptuous wine; generous with great personality, and all the power, silky tannins and fleshiness of Château Giscours. It is a vintage that reflects the meticulous and bold approach that guided our team during this atypical year.
Vinous
- v96
The 2020 Giscours is every bit as compelling as it was from barrel. Succulent dark cherry, plum, new leather, licorice, menthol and mocha fill out the layers nicely. There's a good bit of Merlot in this year, which lends quite a bit of mid-palate juiciness and textural depth, but there is also plenty of supporting structure underneath. The 2020 is both flamboyant and serious, a pretty appealing combination, I have to say. Tasted two times.
Wine Advocate
- wa95+
This estate is now enjoying its finest run since its glory days in the 1970s, and the 2020 Giscours is excellent. Unwinding in the glass with deep aromas of blackberries, cassis, pencil shavings, rose petals and sweet, loamy soil, it's medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with a layered and seamless mid-palate, excellent concentration and powdery structuring tannins.
Jeb Dunnuck
- jd94+
The Grand Vin 2020 Château Giscours is based on 56% Cabernet Sauvignon and 44% Merlot that spent 17 months in 50% new French oak. It has a gorgeous perfume of pure cassis, graphite, and flowers that gives way to a medium to full-bodied Margaux possessing ample tannins, a layered, concentrated mid-palate, remarkable purity, and one heck of a great finish. It's another beautiful Margaux in the vintage that will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and evolve for at least two decades.
Wine Spectator
- ws92
Ripe but fresh and sleek in feel, with black cherry and blackberry puree notes gliding through, infused with sandalwood, bay leaf and black tea accents. This has a pleasant dark earth tint to the finish, though the fruit still holds sway. Nicely done. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2035.
Cap
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wa91Wine Advocate
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ws91Wine Spectator
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st91International Wine Cellar
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we91Wine Enthusiast
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js91James Suckling
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bs91Bottle Shop
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w&s91Wine & Spirits
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bh91Burghound
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wj91Wine Journal
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wsk91Whiskey Advocate
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agv91Vinous
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d91Decanter
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tp91The Tasting Panel
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jd91Jeb Dunnuck
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