It is challenging to snapshot through words for a complex wine like Domaine de la Janasse Vieilles Vignes and its vintage 2013. This wine could be understood through tasting another pantheon of greats, such as Jacque Perrins, Vieux Telegraphe and Clos de la Jean. Then, of course, there is every seriousness and 'typicity'. Purple colour with tight, pink rim; purple flower bouquet(lavender, rose). On the nose, cinnamon-wrapped dried cranberry; minty and black peppery. On the palate, firm and structured tannin and full-bodied, with lingering tastes of cranberry, raspberry, nutmeg, liquorice, fig and blueberry and pomegranate reduction. Given our shortage of words, we can only add that it is poised and balanced, floral and savoury, luxurious and yet feminine. Minimum intervention in the field, as always; however, there is constant work and refinement behind this seeming inactivity. 2013 is less intense than 2012.
Vintage 2013 is a fresher wine compared to 2012- there is more Syrah to strengthen the structure of the wine; This is From 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre; Raised in one-year-old big barrels and small barrels ( 25% to 40% new, French oak for 12 months)to add to complexity); Vines are 60 to 100 yeard-old and on clay-limestone soils that are full of the region's famous large pebbles absorbing heat from the sun during the day and keep vines warm at night, encouraging ripeness and intensity of flavour; Total production averages 850 cases per year only!
High scores and accolades. For example: 95 points Wine Spectator. Features ample stuffing, with lots of dark plum sauce, crushed cherry and warm blackberry confiture flavors forming the core. Melted black licorice, plum eau-de-vie and black tea notes fill in the background. Reveals a lovely echo of ganache at the very end. (JM) (11/2015). Not edited.
94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
While the cuvée Chaupin comes mostly from sandy soils, the 2013 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Vieilles Vignes comes more from the rolled pebble soils the region is famous for, and always shows the richer, more powerful profile imparted from these soils. Mostly foudre-aged Grenache, it incorporates 20% Mourvèdre and roughly 10% Syrah (slightly more Syrah in 2013) that’s raised all in barrel. Exhibiting a deep purple color, it offers fabulous dark berry fruits, licorice, Provençal herbs and earthy/stony minerality on the nose. (JD) (10/2015). Not Edited.
Deep ruby with a tight rim. The 75% Cabernet fruit gives this 2013 a crunchy dark fruit, tannins, and firm conditioned by a certain natural ripeness from merlot fruit a la style the Commune Larbade, along with tones of violets, pepper and herbal nuances on the nose, which reflect the palate. On the palate, this 2013 Giscours is quite masculine to start; the medium finish is elegant. Some 80% of the malolactic fermentation occurs in the tank, and 20% occurs in the barrel. The wine of Chateau Giscours is aged in 50% new French oak barrels for an average of 18 months. RP and JS scores are low at levels of 90, though WE, from an enjoyment angle, gives a higher 93. The price is played down and is a bargain for a Margaux Cru with ten years behind. The palate combined with fine, ripe tannins and the gentle but balanced structure will give immense drinking pleasure now and over the coming years. Excellent value.
91-93 points Wine Enthusiast
This wine is firm with plenty of structured tannins and warm, ripe blackberry fruit that will allow it to develop well. In the great style of Giscours, the wine is concentrated, dense and finished with juicy fruits. Drink from 2020. (RV) (3/2016). Edited.
91 points, James Suckling
A fresh and clean red with bright acidity and lively fruit. Medium to entire body, fine tannins and lively finish. Beautiful intensity on the finish for the vintage. Delicate. Drink or hold. (2/2016). edited.
91 points Vinous
Bright ruby-red. Enticing aromas of minty redcurrant, blueberry, cedar and graphite. Juicy and fresh in the mouth, red and dark berry flavours are lifted by harmonious acidity. Finishes with slightly peppery, youthful tannins and a lingering violet note. (ID) (5/2014). Edited.
90 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Chateau Giscours indeed boasts one of the superior aromatic profiles of the Margaux appellation, with delightful red cherries, fresh strawberry fruit, and an essence of minerality. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannins on the entry, although the finish kind of 'stumbles' over the finish line, and the oak feels just a little heavy-handed. Maybe this will sort itself out by the time of bottling. Tasted April 2014. (NM-Wine Journal) (5/2014). Edited.
Dense and deeply coloured with a tight garnet rim, this wine is structured(good acidities, fine tannins, medium-bodied from 13.5% ABV) and well fruited(blackcurrants, plums, oranges, spices, certain freshness, and lemony finish). 60% used oak. There are tones of chocolate, cigar box, autumn leaves, tobacco and graphite. Like 2012, 2011 does not give excitement and surprises but is four square with solid character. 2011 is slightly more structured, though. The 92% Cabernet Sauvignon gives certain rigidity, with a mere 6% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc on the conditioning. Not bad as a second wine- lots of mileage. Still enjoyable.
Scores are good, for example, 94 Tim Atkins, also 93WE.
WE93.
The wine is all about firm structure and dense tannins. It is concentrated while hiding rich, generous fruits. It still needs to balance the structure with the fruit. In the future, it will be a rich wine full of power. Edited.
