Château Giscours

History of Château Giscours

The history of Château Giscours dates back to 1330, when the estate was a noble house known as "Guyscoutz". At that time, it stood proudly as a stronghold in a hostile environment. However, it was not 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, thus marking the beginning of the estate's wine production.

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

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

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

The 1961 vintage of Château Giscours was awarded 96/100 by Robert Parker, a score that reflects the character and richness of this classified growth from Margaux.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Giscours

The exceptional terroir of Château Giscours extends over 83 hectares on the left bank, at the very heart of the Margaux appellation, on the "gravelly ridges" characteristic of the Médoc region. These formations of Garonne gravels, resulting from alluvial deposits laid down by the Garonne and the Dordogne, 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 the optimal ripening of the grapes. Three main ridges stand out on the estate:

Le Grand Poujeau: Located to the west, it reaches 21 metres in height and consists primarily of warm gravels, ideal for the ripening of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Bel Air: This cooler slope, at 12 metres above sea level, consists of gravelly-sandy brunisols. It is particularly valued during warm years and brings finesse and freshness to the wine.

Le Plateau de Giscours (Cantelaude): This terroir combines both gravelly and sandy soils, providing structure to the Cabernet Sauvignon and richness to the 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 greatest care. A significant portion of the vineyard is now certified organic farming, with a growing proportion each year. In addition to traditional techniques, replanting practices are implemented, mixing young and old vines in order to maintain optimal productivity while promoting biodiversity.

Winemaking at Château Giscours

The winemaking process at Château Giscours is carried out with meticulous attention to bring out the best of each vintage and to express the full richness of the terroir. The harvest is carried out by hand on a plot-by-plot basis, with several passes to ensure that only perfectly ripe grapes are collected.

Once the bunches have been carefully sorted, a cold pre-fermentation maceration is carried out to extract the fruity aromas as fully as possible. 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 vat, before the wine is aged in French oak barrels for 15 to 18 months, of which 50% are new casks.

This long ageing in noble wood imparts silky tannins to the wine and contributes to its structure, while allowing subtle notes of vanilla and toasted oak to emerge. This careful approach to winemaking enables each cuvée to develop great aromatic complexity and a remarkable ageing potential.

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 wines of Margaux.

Château Giscours - Fine Wine

The fine wine of Château Giscours embodies the quintessence of the Margaux terroir. It is distinguished by a deep colour, complex aromas combining dark 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 over several decades.

La Sirène de Giscours - Second Wine

La Sirène de Giscours, the estate's second wine, reflects all the expertise of the château, but with a more accessible and relaxed 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 fine ageing potential.

Haut-Médoc Giscours

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

Le Rosé de Giscours

The estate's latest creation, the Rosé de Giscours is crafted from a dedicated plot of Cabernet Sauvignon. This delicate and fruity rosé captivates with its pale colour and freshness. Already hailed as one of the finest rosés from Bordeaux, it is produced in limited quantities and reveals a rare elegance for a rosé.

The finest vintages of Margaux, one of the most prestigious wines from Bordeaux, are renowned for their finesse and elegance. Among the most remarkable years, one finds 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, a symbol of Bordeaux excellence.

We invite you to discover the different Châteaux Troisièmes Grands Crus Classés, true treasures of the Bordeaux region. Set out to explore 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 an unforgettable experience, reflecting the art of the wines of the Médoc.

Château Giscours is more than a simple wine estate — it is a true legend at the heart of the Margaux appellation. Thanks to an exceptional terroir, a rich history and a expertise passed down from generation to generation, the wines of Giscours continue to captivate enthusiasts the world over. Whether for its fine wine, its second wine La Sirène de Giscours or its other cuvées, each bottle embodies the passion and excellence that have made this estate's reputation. Purchasing the wines of Château Giscours means securing a unique experience where elegance, finesse and tradition combine in perfect harmony.