2023 Château Giscours

One heck of an impressive 2023, the 2023 Château Giscours is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc aged in 50% new French oak. Ripe red and blackcurrants, spring flowers, graphite, and smoked tobacco notes all emerge from the glass, with an almost chalky minerality in the background. It's concentrated, medium-bodied, and has a round, layered mouthfeel, ample mid-palate depth, and beautiful tannins. It reminds me of the 2019 with its complete, layered style, if not slightly more concentrated. Drink 2029-2049.

The 2023 Giscours is a potent, brooding wine. Black cherry, plum, new leather, dried herbs, chocolate and gravel infuse the palate with notable depth and intensity. This has really shut down post-bottling. Giscours is usually much more charming in its youth. Today, the stress of a vintage marked by heat and low yields of just 30 hectoliters per hectare comes through in the wine's tannic profile and overall feel.

The 2023 Giscours demands coaxing on the nose. Tightly wound, blackberry, blueberry, violet and cedar develop in the glass, though it remains backward, suggesting cellaring is necessary. The palate is medium-bodied with svelte tannins and a silver thread of acidity. The graphite element is a little more pronounced compared to its showing from barrel, nicely structured with a lively and quite spicy finish. After four to five years it should be ready to go but it should have the legs to offer 20-plus years' enjoyment. Tasted twice and oddly better at a tasting outside the château!