A balanced blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (47%) and Merlot, with a slight addition of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Like the terroir, the wine is classic in its deep ruby colour and elegant bouquet, combining mixed black fruit, sweet spices and pepper. Round, solid, and tastes harmonious with 18 years behind—good complexity, long finish, delicate palate, stuffed, structured. Excellent value. Medium to medium-deep, ruby-red colour. There is good, fresh acidity & balanced alcohol, but the astringent tannins leave the finish very lean. Silky finish. Still with good fruit. Rare by now.
JS93. 'Wow. This shows wonderful depth and complexity on the nose with blueberries, fresh flowers and hints of stones. It's full-bodied, with ultra-refined tannins and a long, long finish. It gets better and better with age: gorgeous now but will improve for many years. Excellent.'(edited). RP gave 91 and Stazer 90. Quite stable scores.
2011 may be less full-bodied, rich in extracts, yet harmonious—a dark, impressively bright, deep ruby colour. Lovely spice on the nose and is plump for the vintage. With a well-rounded, smooth palate, this has a balanced palate with spicy oak and ripe tannins complimenting the soft fruit. A delicious St Julien, 2011 is made from a lower percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon than most Saint Juliens; this is 58% Cabernet Sauvignon with the rest Merlot and a dash of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, aged in 75% new oak. 2011 gives pleasure.
Scores are consistent in the level of 94 to 95 and are high, for example:
RP94. This property has been on a qualitative tear over the last generation and produced one of the most successful wines of 2011. A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, it is broad, rich, medium to full-bodied and dense. In addition, it boasts an inky/purple colour, lots of concentration, silky tannins, and a bigger, richer mouthfeel than any of its St.-Julien peers. The result is one of the stars of the vintage. (Edited)
JS 93. Blackberry and currant aromas with hints of minerals. Whole body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. Chewy and reserved. Just the right amount of fruit covering the tannins. Harmony for the vintage. Better in 2017.
WE94. This is a fruity wine that's abundant and gorgeously rich. There is a pepper edge, touches of new wood and a firm, dark core. Acidity and concentration are already integrated. Drink from 2018. (edited)
VertdeVin 95. The nose is elegant and fresh and offers concentration and power. It reveals notes of blackberry, cassis and slight notes of wild raspberry associated with a hint of red berries, very discreet hints of violet, iris and a subtle hint of nutmeg. The mouth is fruity, juicy, fresh, and well-balanced and offers an acceptable acidulous frame, tension, and refined concentration. On the mouth, this wine expresses notes of black cherry, blackberry and slight notes of wild raspberry associated with delicate touches of small red berries, flowers and a discreet hint of tonka bean, wood/toasted and a subtle hint of almond. Tannins are very discreetly tight. Good length.
Andre Larson 94. Very dense colour. The nose is modern and striking with toasted oak, coffee, minerals, dark berries, cassis and a cigar box. Very concentrated palate with plenty of dark fruit, good quality tannin, fresh and vibrant despite its concentration, elegant fruit and a rich, long finish. Excellent potential. (edited)
Parker says(quote and edited by us), 'Giscours' 1996 is atypical for the vintage, being soft, forward, and open-knit, with an absence of tannin. The wine exhibits a dark ruby colour and attractive berry fruit, but it is straightforward and easygoing. Drink it during its first decade of life. Today the vineyard covers 94 hectares, of which the grape variety is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. ' Thanks to Parker's low ratings: the price of Giscours 1996 is very nice, considering that it is from a fine 1996 from a Margaux Third Growth, a rare vintage with 27 years behind. We found Giscours 1996 agreeable, and so did Jeanne Cho Lee, who awarded it 94 points from the angle of a fine claret with the old-school type of making and 12.5% alcohol levels. While tannins are by now melted away, it remains Arsac and Labarde in style. Indeed its merits are for the consumers to decide.
The Giscours 1996 blend gives a natural balance and complexity. The vinification begins in concrete and stainless steel tanks for 18-28 days, then the ageing is 100% in French oak barrels (50% new and 50% of wine) and lasts from 15 to 18 months. A good claret at cru level, which aged fine.
