1970 Giscours

Tasted at the Château Giscours vertical, the 1970 Château Giscours is one of the famous wines alongside the 1961, 1966 and 1975 that made the reputation of the Margaux property. I have had great bottles in the past, although on this occasion it was "good" but not "great". The color is deep for a 1970, the bouquet a little rustic with tertiary scents, a light seaweed influence, but a little frayed around the edges. The palate has faded a little since I last tasted it, the tannins a little dry, but still with commendable substance. On this occasion it was outclassed by the magnificent 1961, but I would be intrigued to see how larger formats would be showing. Tasted June 2015.

Very deep blackish ruby. Very rich and sweet – quite different in style from the ethereal Lafite 1973 tasted immediately before it. Full and rich and sweet. Dense and deep. Lush and luscious. Much more generous than most 1970s. Very clean, fresh finish. Big and burly. Very distinctive, if not exactly subtle. The 1970 Giscours was always a very successful wine, made in the Pierre Tari era. (JR)

The 1970 Giscours continues to offer a large-scaled, spicy, licorice, earth, cedar, curranty, and leathery nose backed-up by muscular, full-bodied, tannic flavors. This fully mature, fleshy, distinctive wine is unlikely to ever completely shed its tannin, but there is good size, fine ripeness, and an overall sense of balance. It is one of the better efforts from Giscours. Wine Advocate.June, 1996