Inky, expertly constructed, fleshy blackberry, pomegranate and cassis fruits, black pepper, sage, rosemary and smoked cumin spice, with lift, nuance and momentum through the palate, clearly an excellent vintage at Giscours, although relatively low 31hl/ha yields. 95 points

The 2023 Giscours is the very best wine I have ever tasted here. Giscours has been knocking on the door of Bordeaux`s elite for a few years now. Two thousand twenty-three is the year in which Giscours joins the region`s big boys and girls. A towering, majestic Margaux, the 2023 dazzles from start to finish. What a wine! 96-98 points

The 2023 Giscours is one of the real successes of the vintage, unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries, cherries and red fruits mingled with hints of undergrowth, violets and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it`s seamless and concentrated, with a fleshy core of fruit framed by ripe, powdery tannins and succulent acids, concluding with a long, broad finish. It`s a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. 94-96 points

The 2023 Giscours was picked between September 6 and October 6, a month-long harvest at an average of 31hL/ha, lower than usual due to the loss of Merlot. This has a higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon (71%). No sulfites were added until fermentation, and the elevage includes 50% new oak. This sample was taken from a foudre that represents a combination of barrels; I tasted it three times thereafter. It has a classically styled bouquet, less open and concentrated than the 2022, but well-defined with graphite-tinged black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with a bright entry, a crisp line of acidity and fresh black fruit, with a noticeable marine/briny influence that guides the finish. This is not a powerful Giscours and doesn`t quite have the persistence of the previous vintage, but I admire its linearity and classicism. 90-92 points