2018 Chateau Giscours Margaux Grand Cru Classe Bordeaux 750 ml

When Bordeaux gets three months of uninterrupted growing-season heat, buckle up: You’re in for expressive wine, delivered with stunning grace and complexity—which might as well be the tagline for this 2018 Giscours, one of the finest Margaux bottlings from an exceptional vintage.

As 2018’s summer lingered into October, the historic estate let their grapes ripen to perfection, then channeled that concentrated flavor into a grand vin of balletic power. Harnessing the vintage’s calling-card boldness while preserving the wine’s subtle nuances, this Bordeaux highlights why Decanter once praised Giscours’ “innate freshness in all vintages” and “remarkable staying power.”

Aromatic complexity and refined tannins define the Giscours style, and few bottles display it better than this one. A swirl unlocks aromas of red fruit, licorice, violets, cinnamon, and vanilla, while the palate weaves together fruit, florals, mocha, and spice, all with an undercurrent of refreshing acidity. 

When you drive north on the famous D2 Route du Médoc, the sprawling Giscours property is the first Classified Growth you see as you cross into Margaux. Behind 123 acres of manicured parks and gardens lie gently undulating vineyards marked by the Left Bank’s famous gravel soils, with three hilltops that allow for ideal water drainage.

Giscours made a few passes during harvest to optimize complexity, then selected the most flawless clusters for the final blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot. After spending 17 months in 50% new French oak to develop seamlessness and depth, the wine emerged showing serious sophistication and the legs to keep evolving for decades.