Giscours 1996

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.