The 2020 Giscours is every bit as compelling as it was from barrel. Succulent dark cherry, plum, new leather, licorice, menthol and mocha fill out the layers nicely. There's a good bit of Merlot in this year, which lends quite a bit of mid-palate juiciness and textural depth, but there is also plenty of supporting structure underneath. The 2020 is both flamboyant and serious, a pretty appealing combination, I have to say. Tasted two times.
96 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Feb 2023)
Fascinating aromas of blueberries, crushed stone, and blackcurrants. Very aromatic. Full-bodied with juicy tannins that are creamy and intense. Slightly bitter, burnt citrus character. This is very muscular with velvety tannins. Needs time to soften. Try after 2025 but will age a long time.
96 points, James Suckling (May 2023)
This estate is now enjoying its finest run since its glory days in the 1970s, and the 2020 Giscours is excellent. Unwinding in the glass with deep aromas of blackberries, cassis, pencil shavings, rose petals and sweet, loamy soil, it's medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with a layered and seamless mid-palate, excellent concentration and powdery structuring tannins.
95+ points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate (Apr 2023)
Deep plum in colour, lilting acidities, some angular tannins at this point, beautifully bitter dark chocolate alongside bilberry and blackberry fruits, with fragrant mint leaf and precisely carved tannic grip. Last year with Lorenzo Pasquini as technical director, before Jérôme Poisson took over in 2021. The first year also when Giscours became the only estate in Margaux owned by the Albada family, as they sold du Tertre. Thomas Duclos consultant, 50% new oak. Harvest September 8 to October 2, 35hl/h yield.
95 points, Jane Anson (Feb 2024)
With a combination of finesse, depth and body, this wine impresses with smooth delivery and finesse – and shows how more precise viticulture and winemaking over the past two decades has raised the quality at this sprawling estate. Indeed, the 2005 vintage tasted alongside was very good, but not as spherical, not as complete. Chef Yannick Germain, being more accustomed to Burgundy, appreciated Giscours in both vintages for the wines' elegance, recommending casserole-cooked Black Gascon pork, gently braised in its own juices to pair with the 2020 vintage.
95 points, Panos Kakaviatos, Decanter (Feb 2026)
The Grand Vin 2020 Château Giscours is based on 56% Cabernet Sauvignon and 44% Merlot that spent 17 months in 50% new French oak. It has a gorgeous perfume of pure cassis, graphite, and flowers that gives way to a medium to full-bodied Margaux possessing ample tannins, a layered, concentrated mid-palate, remarkable purity, and one heck of a great finish. It’s another beautiful Margaux in the vintage that will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and evolve for at least two decades.
94+ points, Jeb Dunnuck (Mar 2023)
The 2020 Giscours, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot, is deep garnet-purple in color. It wafts gracefully from the glass with pretty notes of raspberry coulis, Morello cherries, and crushed blackcurrants, plus touches of garrigue, bay leaves, and iron ore. The medium-bodied palate is silky and beautifully poised, delivering delicate red berry and savory layers, finishing on a mineral note.
94 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent (Jun 2023)