Chateau Giscours 2001

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "It may have had a few winemaking controversies in recent years, but Giscours is now on a roll, under the ownership of Dutch businessman Eric Albada Jelgersma. How good it is, is shown in the 2001 wine, which is generous, almost opulent, rich and dense. Despite the richness, though, this is still Bordeaux: Dry tannins, tarry black-fruit flavors and firmness place the wine definitely at the table."

DECANTER: "Following the 2000, the 2001 seems finer in style with more zest and energy. The colour is deep and the bouquet complex with floral and red and dark fruit notes as well as a hint of mint. The attack on the palate is ripe then the wine sails along on freshness, length and drive. The finish is serious and firm. Altogether it's a harmonious and agreeable wine. The 'hidden-gem' pick."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Tasted at the Château Giscours vertical, the 2001 Château Giscours is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot picked between September 28 and October 12. Comparing it directly with the 2000, I discerned a little more precision on the nose, the fruit a little fresher with lifted mulberry, violet and lavender scents. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, more tensile than the 2000, if not quite the same level of fruit concentration. It is not plump like the previous vintage, though there is fine animation here with a vein of spiciness surfacing towards the finish. This constitutes one of the finest Giscours in recent years, a Margaux with breeding and poise. In retrospect, this was the beginning of a turnaround in fortunes after an inconsistent period throughout the 1990s. Tasted June 2015."

WINE SPECTATOR: " Incredible aromas of flowers, currants, blackberries, and minerals. Full-bodied, with a supersolid core of fruit, incredibly finely knit tannins and a finish that goes on and on. This is really superb. Much better than from barrel. Giscours is really going places. Best after 2009. 26,665 cases made."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Very perfumed and delicately fruity with plums and violets. Full body with super-integrated tannins and a clean finish. Lovely texture to this red. Drink now."

WEINWISSER: "Dunkles, sattes Rubin-Purpur. Fruchtiges Bouquet mit floraler Würze, Wildkirschen, Damassinepflaumen, gekochte Preiselbeeren und dominikanischer Tabak, delikater Zedernhauch. Stoffiger Gaumen, fleischige Tannine, Pfirsichkernaromen, sanft kerniges Extrakt, ausgeglichene Adstringenz, langes Finale mit sanft mehligem Ausklang."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Glossy crimson. Sophisticated nose with very good quality oak. Very attractive balance and lovely freshness above all. Not a heavyweight but a very attractive wine. Good length and integrity. Lovely already. Pavillon Rouge?"

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "With a perfume filled with blackberries, earth, tobacco, smoke and cedar scents, this silky, medium bodied Margaux wine ends with an elegant, cassis filled finish. Another 2-3 years will more complexity to the wine. The wine was made using a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot."