2003 Giscours, Margaux

Giscours is the flagship of Labarde. While firmly grounded on a THiurd Growth, where does Giscours stand? As the owner said, Giscours is-'A nul autre' -meaning second to none. But is it an indictment of the consumer's Sourvein? One just cannot say they are good and believe they are good. Mainly when there are controversial opinions. Views are diversified. But A Labarde shall always need time, the tannins are firm, absolutely a masculine Margaux that may need time to resolve the tannins. NM seems to have grasped the tasting right' at the Chateau Giscours vertical, the 2003 Chateau Giscours is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. Considering the vintage, the aromatics have retained a reasonable degree of freshness, although it is not as nuanced or complex as the previous two vintages. It offers redcurrant, leather and a touch of dark chocolate, perhaps reflecting the growing season more than the terroir. The palate is medium-bodied with supple ripe tannin. This is a little lactic on the mouth, smooth if not complex, but there is no flabbiness marking the finish, and it offers decent length. Drink it over the next 5-8 years. So it is a wine to savour now.

The controversial comments and scores are as follows. So Let buyers be aware.

90 points Decanter

The wine has held up well and is one of the better examples from this hot, dry vintage. There's some brick at the rim, and the nose is a little flat with just a hint of dark pastille fruit and liquorice. There's a sweetness to the palate, and the tannins are a little chunky and dry, but there's still apparent fruit and that natural freshness to balance the apparent warmth of the year. (JL) (7/2021) Edited.

90 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Tasted at the Château Giscours vertical, the 2003 Château Giscours is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. Considering the vintage, the aromatics have retained a reasonable degree of freshness, although it is not as nuanced or complex as the previous two vintages. It offers redcurrant, leather and a touch of dark chocolate, perhaps reflecting the growing season more than the terroir. The palate is medium-bodied with supple ripe tannin. This is a little lactic on the mouth, smooth if not complex, but there is no flabbiness marking the finish, and it offers decent length. (NM) (7/2016)

90 Wine Spectator

Aromas of blackberry, black olives and liquorice. Medium- to full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a fruity finish. Refined and nicely done. Edited.

JS94. Then there is the support from James Suckling, writing, 'Is this the best Giscours since then? Excellent depth, fleshy and sweet with ripe tannins. Great Margaux purity. Intense aromas of cooked fruit and prunes. Full-bodied with rich and ripe fruit character. Soft, round tannins and a long finish. Heady and rich. Port-like. It could be the legendary 1970 in the remake.