Chateau Giscours 2008

WEINWISSER: "Dunkles, dichtes Purpur, lila Rand. Delikates Bouquet, viel Frucht, reife Himbeeren, Kirschen und rote Pflaumen, feingliedrig, mit sublimer Fülle. Cremiger Gaumen, frischfruchtig, sehr stoffig, ausgeglichene Adstringenz. Toller Giscours, wie eine Mischung aus 2000 mit 2001."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "A dense wine, powerful while also elegant. It shows all the best character of a grand Margaux, with fine tannins as well as dense structure. It will age well."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Tasted at the Château Giscours vertical, the 2008 Château Giscours is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot picked between September 30 and October 1. The bouquet is very well defined with ebullient red berry fruit mixed with orange peel and cedar aromas. There is something that distantly echoes a Côte de Beaune! Perhaps the purity on offer here? The palate is very well balanced with a keen line of acidity, very fine tannins and ample freshness. I loved this Giscours from barrel and it is now living up to my expectations. The terroir shines through on this wine - true Margaux. This is an excellent wine from winemaker Alexandre Van Beek. Tasted June 2015."

DECANTER: "A generous, well-rounded Margaux, expansive through the mid-palate but finishing a little short. Again, this shows that 2008 is a good - but not great - vintage, and really one where the full pleasure of drinking is to be taken now and over the next decade. The tannins are beautifully soft, and the cassis and tobacco flavours are still vibrant, floating upwards without being spiky. Drinking Window 2018 - 2030."

FALSTAFF: "Mittleres Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, breitere Randaufhellung. In der Nase florale Nuancen nach kandierten Veilchen, mit schwarzer Beerenfrucht unterlegt, hier dominiert eine Syrahnote, feiner Nougat klingt an. Saftig und frisch, eher mittlere Komplexität, rotbeerige Nuancen, frischer Säurebogen, gut integriertes Holz, zart nach Bitterschoko im Abgang."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Showing some maturity in color and in the nose, you can find truffle, tobacco, cedar and spicy, bright red fruits. The wine is fresh and sweet on the attack. The finish is crisp with some herbs along with the fruits in the finish."