In Bond Fine Wine. 2011 Château Giscours, Margaux, Bordeaux, France. Third Growth • Red Bordeaux in 12x75cl. Top critic score: 94/100 (JA). Drinking window: 2024–2045. Sold in bond by Albany Vintners, independent fine wine merchants.
Chateau Giscours, Third Growth in the Margaux appellation, has been on a steady upward trajectory. Giscours has always had the deep gravel terroir to produce great wine—but recent developments in viticulture and winemaking have brought new levels of precision, freshness, and finesse. Under the ongoing leadership of Alexander Van Beek and the Albada Jelgersma family, they have adopted a gentler, more terroir-driven winemaking approach, focusing on elegance over power, and organic regenerative viticulture. In the cellar, refinements to oak usage and the introduction of larger-format barrels and amphorae have contributed to greater aromatic clarity and balance. Giscours retains Margaux's signature charm—perfumed, silky, and graceful—with greater verve & precision.
Neal Martin (NM) — 91–93/100 · Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com, 30/04/2012
The Giscours 2011 is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. The nose is fleshy and ripe with lifted strawberry and raspberry aromas, the oak present but well integrated. It has a pleasing purity for the vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with a fleshy, sensual mouthfeel. I feels just a tad worked in the winery, but I still appreciate the balance and soft silky tannin…
Robert Parker (RP) — 88–90/100 · Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com, 30/04/2012 · Drink 2012-2027
The powerful, concentrated 2011 Giscours is not terribly dissimilar from their 2005. Composed of two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and one-third Merlot, it exhibits a deep ruby/purple color along with scents of charcoal, underbrush, forest floor, licorice, black currants and a hint of wood smoke. This rich, medium to full-bodied, dense effort should be consumed over the next 10-15 years.
Jane Anson (JA) — 94/100 · Inside Bordeaux, 2024-02-14 · Drink 2024-2042
Dark ruby colour, silky texture to the tannins, pomegranate and cassis coupled with orange bitter rind, aniseed, cocoa bean, with grip and length. bitter chocoolate. This is a brilliant 2011, one of the best in the appellation, one to look out for. Harvest September 8 to October 1, 50% new oak for ageing. Denis Dubourdieu consultant, Didier Forêt technical director.