Chateau Giscours 2022

Dating back to the mid 16th century, and recognized as a 3rd growth, Chateau Giscours is one of the great estates found in Margaux. The estate is renowned for their deep gravel soils, which provide excellent drainage and are well suited to Cabernet Sauvignon. Giscours has been producing wines that combine the perfume and elegance of Margaux, with the classic structure and longevity expected of a classified growth. Under significant investment and careful stewardship in recent decades, Giscours has seen massive improvments with a focus on sustainable viticulture and precision winemaking, which has led to Giscours becoming one of the Margaux's standout properties, consistently delivering wines of exceptional precision and terroir.

The 2022 Growing season is one of Bordeaux's warmest and driest in recent history. Despite prolonged heat and drought, there were brief moments of respite overnight with much cooler evening temps which helped to preserve acidity and aromatic freshness, leading to intense aromatic concentration. Many critics are hailing the 2022 as one of the strongest Bordeaux vintages in the modern era ( Alongside 2018,2016,2010,2009), capable of producing wines that balance richness, elegance, and precision all while being extraordinarily long lived.

Giscours 2022 is a classic left-bank blend composed primarily of Cab Sauvignon with Merlot, supported by Cab Franc and Petit Verdot, delivering a classic expression of Margaux perfume, which is present on the nose. Violets and rose petals meander out of the glass followed by  ripe cassis, blackberry, cherries, cedar and baking spice. On the palate, this wine's power is immediately noticeable, but most impressive is that it is also tamed by fine silky tannins which frame the ripe dark fruits, stony minerality, and tobacco herbal undertone. Despite the deep dark dense nature of this wine, there is also an aromatic lift and freshness to be observed, which all lead to an endless finish which goes on and on. While enjoyable now, this wine will happily sit and gain in complexity over decades. If you lack the patience to let time soften this wine, and must open it, pair this with a rich duck meat pie or even Cassoulet.