2016 Château Giscours, Margaux, Bordeaux

The 2016 Giscours is complex, aromatically intense and beguiling, with myriad layers of flavors that unfold with time in the glass. Black cherry, sage, leather, smoke and menthol add plenty of intrigue, but above all else, it is the wine's balance and sense of harmony that make the deepest impression. Under the leadership of Alexander Van Beek and his team, Giscours has been on a roll over the last few years. The 2016 is another fine vintage.

Drink 2022 - 2041

This has attractive, glossy, ripe red-plum and licorice aromas with cedar, flowers and red berries, as well as a stony edge. A very fragrant, cabernet-driven nose. The palate has elegance and grace with sleek and charming, balanced style and a discreet tannin structure that holds the finish long and fresh. A blend of 81 per cent cabernet sauvignon and 19 per cent merlot. 

Drink 2023+

Deep, shaded crimson. Real complexity on the nose. Then a chunky, solid, dry finish. There’s a lot packed into this but it’s not quite ready. There’s just a hint of sourness on the end. Still pretty chewy.

Drink 2025 - 2040

Intense and concentrated, with high levels of Cabernet Sauvignon after frost impacted the Merlot and you feel it, in this deeply textured dark berry fruits, with slate and mint leaf accents, stately Left Bank, a little closed still, but with so much balance and hidden power, tannic structure inching open to show ripe cassis, black cherry and grilled spice. Not ready yet, but already confident in what it is going to become. Axel Marchal and Valerie Lavigne consultants, taking over from Denis Dubourdieu. 50% new oak for ageing, harvest September 26 through to October 20.

Drink 2024 - 2042

Concentrated autumnal fruit offers a hawthorny bramble of blackberry and bilberry. Big-framed, muscular tannins are joined by plenty of acidity - it's very clearly built to last and confident in its ability to reward those with patience. Matured in 50% new oak. Axel Marchal and Valerie Lavigne consult.

Drink 2026 - 2045

The 2016 Château Giscours is fabulous stuff, offering a beautiful, complex and classic Margaux) perfume of smoke tobacco, black currants, truffly earth, and spring flowers. Finesse-driven, medium-bodied, and seamless on the palate, it has ultra-fine tannins and no hard edges, and is already drinking beautifully. Nevertheless, it’s going to benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age and cruise for 20-25 years or more. The blend of the 2016 is 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Merlot and it’s well worth a case purchase.

Drink 2022 - 2047

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Giscours gives up aromas of cassis, chocolate, earth, tar, pepper and hoisin with touches of flowers and a meaty nuance. The palate is medium to full-bodied, firm and grainy with a great core and a long finish.

Drink 2019 - 2035

The 2016 Giscours has a very pure, refined bouquet featuring lifted blackberry, cassis and light violet aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins, well-judged acidity and finely integrated oak toward the precise finish. This is what a finely crafted Margaux looks like, and I suspect it will get even better with bottle age. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting.

Drink 2023 - 2050