VITICULTURE
Château Giscours maintains their oldest plots using interplanting. Young vines are selected and then planted among the old ones. Sustainable viticulture, striving for agroecologyAre you over 21 years old?
Château Giscours Margaux 2015
$127.80
Château Giscours Margaux 2015
$127.80
Margaux
2015
3rd Growth
70% Cabernet Sauvignon
25% Merlot
5% Petit Verdot
Region: Bordeaux
ESTATE HISTORY
The history of Château Giscours goes back to the 14th century, at which time an impressive keep protected the estate from potential attacks.
However, the true creation of the estate can be considered to date from the purchase of the “maison noble de Guyscoutz” by Pierre de Lhomme, a rich cloth merchant, in 1552. This marked the beginning of Château Giscours’ winegrowing tradition.
The estate underwent a golden age in the 19th century thanks to wealthy and influential owners such as the Promis, Pescatore, and Cruse families. This is also when Giscours underwent a number of important changes: the château was transformed into a neoclassic palace, the grounds were landscaped by Eugène Bülher, rare tree species were planted, and immense outbuildings were built, including the famous Ferme Suzanne…
In 1995, a Dutch businessman, Éric Albada Jelgersma, took over management and set about meticulously renovating the vineyard and buildings to make this prestigious estate fully worthy of its third growth ranking in the 1855 classification.
TERROIR
The exceptional terroir of Château Giscours is spread over 83 hectares of vines in the Margaux appellation. Moreover, various geological studies have revealed the highly qualitative origin of our terroir: an alluvial deposit of Garonne gravel, dating from the ancient quaternary, serves as the foundation of our vineyard. It is on these arid lands, eroded, formed of alluvial deposits, of Garonne gravels carried from the Pyrenees in the quaternary that were formed the reliefs called in Medoc “gravelly croups”. They allow the drainage of excess water and let the Cabernet Sauvignon, the dominant grape variety, find its most beautiful expression.
More than half of the vineyards are now cultivated using organic agriculture methods, a proportion that is increasing every year. At Giscours, soil and vine maintenance is constantly being rethought and improved.
WINEMAKING
Once they have been harvested, the grapes are sorted, gently de-stemmed, then sorted once again using optical sorting so that only the highest-quality grapes are used. Pre-fermentation cold maceration is performed to enhance the fruity aromas before the alcoholic fermentation stage. This stage also takes place at low temperatures with gentle extraction, similar to an infusion, and shielded from the air to protect the fruit’s freshness. Then comes malolactic fermentation, performed in the vat. The wine then gains fullness and density as it matures in French oak barrels. This oak is part of the process of creating the wine, adding elegant, soft tannins and allowing a tiny amount of oxygen through to polish the wine’s structure.
TASTING & FOOD PAIRINGS
When tasted, Château Giscours offers all the classicism of a great Margaux: fine tannins, purity, soft and refined elegance, great roundness in the mouth. It is a wine that evolves magnificently over time and whose pleasure of tasting is transmitted from generation to generation.
Plenty of violets and dark berries on offer here. This has a striking sense of purity as well as an energetic, regal palate. The structure is impressively groomed with effortless depth and length. A standout wine. Try from 2022.
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Giscours opens with expressive cassis, blackberry and red currants on the nose with touches of cedar chest, roses and pencil lead. Medium to full-bodied with a good core of muscular fruit and firm, grainy tannins, it finishes long.
Polished and rounded in feel, with a solid core of plum and blackberry compote flavors, lined with light hints of charcoal, tobacco and violet. Nice perfumy tobacco and warm tar notes show on the finish. Very well-integrated, making this approachable now, but there’s no rush. Best from 2020 through 2035.
Slightly smoky cassis nose then good florality and fine depth of Cabernet fruit and fine tannins. Has the classic Giscours charm with more weight than usual; will show very well.
When tasted, Château Giscours offers all the classicism of a great Margaux: fine tannins, purity, soft and refined elegance, great roundness in the mouth. It is a wine that evolves magnificently over time and whose pleasure of tasting is transmitted from generation to generation.
Château Giscours is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau Giscours is a perfect match with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta as well as cheese.
*Please note the image is of a representative bottle. For pictures of the actual bottle please contact us.