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 Château
Giscours
The first mention made of Château Giscours dates back to around 1330 when it was referred to as a fortified dungeon. In 1552, the estate was sold for 1,000 pounds and was already recognised as a vineyard at this time. Reference is made in the Féret, considered as the bible of Bordeaux wines, of Giscours
being served to Louis XIV who, it was said, appreciated the wine. In 1789, the
estate belonged to the Saint-Simon family, from whom it was confiscated in order
to become “National Property”. Numerous owners then followed. As with many other Bordeaux chateaux, the estate was confiscated with the Revolution in 1789, coming into the hands of the local citizens as National Property. There then followed a string of new owners, the most notable being Count de Pescatore who was responsible, in 1847, for the construction of the chateau which still stands at Giscours today. More than fifty years on from the Revolution who ordered the rebuilding of the château in 1847 in a manner to receive the Empress Eugénie. Eugenie served three times as regent of France, first when Napoleon was absent in Italy, again when he was making his Algerian tour, and finally, upon his departure to wage war against Germany.
The 1855 classification ranked the wines of Giscours a Margaux 3rd classified growth.
 Château
Giscours, Margaux Bordeaux
A classified growth since 1855, Château Giscours expresses the finesse and elegance of its terroir.
Ever since 1552, the property has been recognised as a wine estate. At that time, its wine was already being appreciated at the French royal court. In 1847, the Count of Pescatore rebuilt the château. After a succession of owners, the property was taken over in 1948 by Nicolas Tari.
In 1995, Eric Albada Jelgersma purchased the Château Giscours business and increased investment to optimise quality.
The Château GISCOURS vineyard covers four outcrops or croupes : four outstanding terroirs, made up of coarse and medium coarse gravel over steep, well-drained slopes.
This abundance of pebbles (40 to 50 %), creating poor, permeable conditions in the soil, contributes hugely to the high quality of the wines.
This gravel is mixed in the subsoil with coarse sand, which helps the vine to develop a deep rooting system. With the the temperate Médoc climate, conditions are thus perfect for the creation of a great wine.
The harvest is picked by hand and sorted, crushed and pressed as is common in most Bordeaux Châteaux, however Château Giscours has not been averse to using modern technology to improve the grapes. It was an early proponent of reverse-osmosis to remove excess water from the berries and has also employed the unorthodox procedure of heating the grapes to 60° in order to ameliorate the extraction of color and tannins.
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Château Giscours 2002, Margaux, Bordeaux
A lovely, dense deep ruby-purple color. An elegant nose showing layers of intermingling spice and fruit aromas, such as blackberries, blackcurrants and a suggestion of roses. A supple entry on the palate, followed by finesse and lingering tannins. Loads of currants and minerals on the nose. Full-bodied, with medium, fine tannins and a medium finish. Very well done.
Rated 89/91 Wines Spectator
$40.15
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