Giscours 2005

Good ruby-red. Lovely lift to the aromas of black fruits, licorice and minerals. Pure, intense and sweet, offering an enticing combination of black fruit, mineral and dark chocolate flavors. Finishes long and sweet, with plenty of tannic structure and a lingering note of bitter chocolate. A juicy, serious wine with some power. This has turned out very well.

Giscours (3G). Black-red, rich Cabernet fruit, totally ripe, even perhaps a little over-ripe, but sheer exuberance of fruit, not at all raisiny, bursting with energy, lovely ripe tannins. Drink 2009-20.

Sweet, ripe, very pure, perfumed, cassis. Dense, flavoursome, big but balance is quite good. Quite chewy tannins, needs time. Drink from 2016. Awarded 3 stars.

This forward-styled 2005 possesses a dense ruby/purple color in addition to a big, sweet bouquet of roasted herbs, fudge, espresso, figs, and cherry jam. Opulent, even decadent, with low acidity, but high glycerin and fruit extract as well as a flamboyant fleshiness, this is a stunningly impressive, hedonistic, savory Margaux to enjoy between 2010-2025

Giscours has been on a hot streak, fashioning full-bodied, powerful wines. The forward 2005 reveals notes of chocolate, sweet cherries, plums, figs, and dried herbs in its opulent, corpulent personality. With decent acidity, huge glycerin and concentration, and a long, fleshy, heady finish, it possesses an in-your-face, flamboyant style that is somewhat out of character for the vintage. It is an impressive, challenging, hedonistic as well as intellectually satisfying claret that should drink well reasonably young. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2025.

A full-bodied, powerful Giscours, the 2005 displays a deep ruby/purple color as well as sweet aromas of red and black fruits intermixed with loamy soil, dried herbs, and a hint of pain grille. Good acidity, a plump, corpulent attack and mouthfeel, medium to full body, superb depth of fruit, plenty of glycerin (it must approach 14% alcohol), and a lusty finish suggest this beauty will be approachable young. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2022.

Very big and juicy, with fabulous berry, chocolate and currant character. Full and round. Long. This could be the best Giscours of all time.

Blackish crimson. Fully evolved meaty nose that is not especially subtle and is pretty sweet on the front palate - just a bit oaky-chocolatey. But certainly very flattering. Rather thick velvety tannins on the finish rather than something purer. 13%Drink 2018-2028

Very dark - distinctly blackish tinge. Sweet, brutal, almost New World wine on the nose. This is sumptuous - Napa sur Gironde - and very cleverly made. There is freshness and extraordinary immediacy. Utterly seductive. Smooth and transparent. Silky textured. It has enormous ripeness but freshness too. As you can tell from the note, I'm a bit alarmed by the nose but the palate and balance will win many drinkers over. Perhaps the lack of persistence is a bit of a worry though? Drink 2014-26