Chateau Giscours 2018

JAMES SUCKLING: "Black currant, dried-blueberry, oyster-shell, black-olive, black truffle, and bitter-chocolate aromas. It’s full-bodied with firm, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Savory and mineral layers interplay with the black fruit. Powerful and chewy yet very polished and beautiful.. Try from 2024."

WEINWISSER: "Sattes Purpur mit rubinrotem Rand. Was für ein betörendes Bouquet nach reifen Waldbeeren, Lakritze und Heidelbeergelee. Im zweiten Ansatz parfümierter Pfeifentabak und getrockneter Rosmarin. Am druckvollen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur und engmaschigem Tanningerüst, getragen von einer perfekt balancierten Rasse, dunkle Terroirwürze. Im katapultartigen Finale ein voller Korb mit blauen und schwarzen Beeren, Graphitspuren und royaler Adstringenz. Topleistung von Alexander van Beek."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Always a significant wine, this latest release with powerful while also stylish black fruits fits into a well-regarded tradition. The density and broad fruitiness of the wine make fine foils for each other. It is firmly structured and set for aging. Drink this wine from 2027."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Mit kandierten Veilchen unterlegte reife Feigen- und Pflaumenfrucht, eingelegte schwarze Kirschen, zarter Edelholztouch, tabakige Noten. Saftig, elegant, extraktsüß, reife Herzkirschen, feine, gut integrierte, tragende Tannine, mineralisch und anhaftend, sehr gute Länge, großes Zukunftspotenzial. (2025–2050)"

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Floral in nature, you find a sweetness and purity in the deep red fruits along with the violet bouquet that quickly grabs your interest. The wine is rich, sensuous, silky, sexy and lively. Concentrated with width, length and energy, the elegant, lushly textured finish feels just great on your palate. This should age for at least 3 decades, though it will start to shine in 8-10 years. The wine was produced blending 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Very expressive, with violet and lilac notes followed by creamed plum and mulled blackberry and black currant fruit flavors. Subtle anise, juniper and sanguine notes thread the very long finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2024 through 2036."

DECANTER: "Brushed damson, fine but firm tannins, lots of dark deep fruits and powerful oak that slightly detracts from appellation typicity. This is confident and good-quality but needs a lot of time in bottle. Drinking Window 2026 - 2042"

JEB DUNNUCK: "Lots of ripe black cherry and cassis fruits as well as graphite, lead pencil, and scorched earth notes emerge from the 2018 Château Giscours, a medium-bodied Margaux that has a fresh, focused texture, plenty of underlying structure, and the purity of fruit that's the hallmark of the vintage. This beautiful Margaux builds nicely with time in the glass, and while it plays in the more elegant side of the spectrum, it has terrific mid-palate depth, stunning balance, and outstanding length. I think the 2019 might ultimately surpass it, but it's certainly in the same ballpark as the 2016. Give bottles 3-5 years and enjoy over the following 20 years or more."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Giscours opens with fragrant notions of kirsch, black cherry compote and blackcurrant pastilles with suggestions of dried lavender, cinnamon stick and mossy tree bark. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers a good amount of red and black fruit flavors with compelling purity, framed by soft tannins and well-balanced freshness, finishing with a spicy lift."