Giscours

History of Château Giscours

The history of Château Giscours dates back to 1330, when the property was a noble house called "Guyscoutz". At the time, it stood proudly as a stronghold in a hostile environment. However, it wasn't until the 16th century that vine cultivation took root in this region. In 1552, Pierre de Lhomme, then owner of the noble house, decided to plant the first vines, marking the beginning of the estate's wine production.

Château Giscours would undergo numerous changes over the centuries. One of the major turning points was the acquisition of the estate by Jean-Pierre Pescatore in 1845. This Luxembourgish banker undertook significant works, building the magnificent neoclassical château that can still be admired today. Under his direction and thanks to the talent of his manager, Pierre Skawinski, Giscours obtained the prestigious title of Third Grand Cru Classé in 1855 during the famous Bordeaux wine classification.

After a period of decline in the early 20th century, Château Giscours was purchased in 1954 by Nicolas Tari, who restored the estate to its former glory. Under his direction, numerous investments were made, including the replanting of vineyards and the modernisation of infrastructure.

Since 1995, the Albada Jelgersma family, already in charge of operations, became owners in 2023. With Alexander Van Beek at the helm, the current team continues to perfect the quality of Giscours wines, while respecting traditions and adopting modern viticultural practices.

The 1961 vintage of Château Giscours was awarded a 96/100 by Robert Parker, a mark that reflects the character and richness of this Margaux cru classé.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Giscours

The exceptional terroir of Château Giscours spans 83 hectares on the left bank, in the heart of the Margaux appellation, on the characteristic "gravelly outcrops" of the Médoc region. These Garonne gravel formations, resulting from alluvial deposits by the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, offer ideal conditions for viticulture, particularly for Cabernet Sauvignon, the estate's dominant grape variety.

The gravelly soils ensure excellent drainage of excess water, allowing the vines to withstand periods of drought while promoting optimal grape ripening. Three main outcrops stand out on the property:

Le Grand Poujeau: Located to the west, it reaches 21 metres and consists mainly of warm gravel, ideal for the maturity of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Bel Air: This cooler outcrop, at 12 metres altitude, is formed of gravelly-sandy brunisols. It is particularly appreciated during hot years and brings finesse and freshness to the wine.

The Giscours Plateau (Cantelaude): This terroir combines both gravelly and sandy soils, bringing structure to Cabernet Sauvignon and richness to Merlot.

The main grape varieties cultivated on these lands are: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot.

The vines are tended with the utmost care. A significant part of the vineyard is now certified organic, with an increasing proportion each year. In addition to traditional techniques, complantation practices are implemented, mixing young and old vines to maintain optimal productivity while promoting biodiversity.

Vinification at Château Giscours

The vinification process at Château Giscours is carried out with meticulous attention to sublimate each vintage and express all the richness of the terroir. Harvesting is done manually and on a plot-by-plot basis, with several passes to ensure that only perfectly ripe grapes are harvested.

Once the bunches are carefully sorted, a pre-fermentation cold maceration is carried out to best extract the fruity aromas. Alcoholic fermentation then takes place at low temperature, with gentle extraction to preserve the finesse of the tannins. Finally, malolactic fermentation is carried out in vats, before the wine is aged in French oak barrels for 15 to 18 months, of which 50% are new barrels.

This long ageing in noble wood gives the wine silky tannins and contributes to its structure while allowing subtle notes of vanilla and roasting to express themselves. This care taken in vinification allows each cuvée to develop great aromatic complexity and a remarkable ageing ability.

The Cuvées of Château Giscours

Château Giscours offers several cuvées, all imbued with elegance and finesse, in perfect harmony with the style of the great Margaux wines.

Château Giscours - Grand Vin

The Grand Vin of Château Giscours embodies the quintessence of the Margaux terroir. It is distinguished by a deep colour, complex aromas mixing black fruits, flowers and spices, and tannins of great finesse. With its perfect balance between freshness and power, it is a wine for ageing par excellence, capable of improving for several decades.

La Sirène de Giscours - Second Wine

La Sirène de Giscours, the estate's second wine, reflects all the know-how of the château, but with a more accessible and uninhibited approach. It is a fruity wine, with notes of red berries and a silky palate. Its supple structure and melted tannins make it a wine ready to be enjoyed young, although it also has good ageing potential.

Haut-Médoc Giscours

This cuvée, from the Haut-Médoc vines, offers a different interpretation of the Giscours terroir. It is a convivial and gourmet wine, with a nice freshness on the palate and generous fruity notes. Elaborated with the same care as the other wines of the estate, it combines finesse and balance, while offering great accessibility.

Le Rosé de Giscours

The latest creation of the estate, Le Rosé de Giscours is made from a dedicated plot of Cabernet Sauvignon. This delicate and fruity rosé seduces with its light colour and freshness. Already hailed as one of the best rosés in Bordeaux, it is produced in limited quantities and reveals a rare elegance for a rosé.

The finest vintages of Margaux, one of Bordeaux's most prestigious wines, are renowned for their finesse and elegance. Among the most remarkable years are 1959, 1983, 1986, 1990, 1995, 1996 and 1999, celebrated for their complexity and longevity. Recent vintages such as 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, and 2016 are also highly regarded for their structure and richness. Other years such as 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 confirm Margaux's consistency in producing exceptional wines, symbolising Bordeaux excellence.

We invite you to discover the various Third Growth Classified Châteaux, true treasures of the Bordeaux region. Set out to encounter the great terroirs of Margaux with the prestigious Château Boyd-Cantenac, Château Cantenac Brown, Château Desmirail, Château Ferrière, Château Giscours, Château d'Issan, Château Kirwan, Château Malescot Saint Exupéry, Château Marquis d'Alesme and Château Palmer. Continue your journey with the wines of Château Calon-Ségur in Saint-Estèphe, Château Lagrange and Château Langoa Barton in Saint-Julien, not forgetting the finesse of Château La Lagune in the Haut-Médoc. Each estate promises you an unforgettable experience, reflecting the art of Médoc wines.

Château Giscours is more than just a wine estate, it's a true legend at the heart of the Margaux appellation. Thanks to an exceptional terroir, a rich history and know-how passed down from generation to generation, Giscours wines continue to seduce wine lovers around the world. Whether it's for its Grand Vin, its second wine La Sirène de Giscours or its other cuvées, each bottle embodies the passion and excellence that make this estate famous. Buying Château Giscours wines is ensuring a unique experience where elegance, finesse and tradition combine beautifully.