Château Giscours, 2005, Margaux (AOC)

'One-Liner'
Mature Margaux from a great Bordeaux vintage – silky, fragrant and beautifully evolved, with cassis, truffle and cedar wrapped in fine, polished tannins.

Tasting Note
Deep garnet moving gently towards brick at the rim, with a complex, mature nose of blackcurrant, blackberry and dried cherry layered with cedar, tobacco, truffle and dried violet. The palate remains impressively fresh, with dark berry fruit joined by liquorice, cocoa and savoury spice as the wine opens. Two decades of bottle age have softened the tannins into a fine, silky framework while retaining the structure and poise of Cabernet-led Margaux. Earthy, leathery and gently toasted notes now sit comfortably alongside the remaining fruit, bringing considerable depth without overwhelming its elegance. Long and composed on the finish, with cassis, woodland and spice lingering beautifully.

Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Sub-Region: Margaux AOC
Grape(s): 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot
ABV: 13%
Friendly: n/a

Awards & Critics' Scores
James Suckling – 95/100
Wine Enthusiast – 95/100
Jane Anson – 94/100
Wine Spectator – 93/100
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate – 92/100

The Story
Château Giscours has roots stretching back to 1552, but its defining chapter came during the nineteenth century when Jean-Pierre Pescatore invested heavily in the property and recruited the gifted agriculturalist Pierre Skawinski to transform both vineyard and cellar. Their work helped secure Giscours its place as a Third Growth in the 1855 Classification. The 2005 captures the estate at a particularly exciting moment and in one of Bordeaux’s most celebrated vintages. A blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot, it was harvested between 22 September and 6 October, macerated for 35 days and matured for 12–15 months in French oak, half of it new. Now with two decades of maturity behind it, the combination of deep gravel soils, Cabernet structure and the generosity of the 2005 vintage has developed into that wonderfully complex meeting point of fruit, perfume and savoury maturity that makes aged Margaux so compelling.

Perfect With... (click me for the recipe)
- Meat/fish: Herb-roast saddle of lamb with dauphinoise potatoes
- Vegetarian: Chestnut mushroom pithivier with a dressed green salad
- Vegan: Lentil and walnut stuffed onions with rosemary and red wine gravy