1970 Giscours
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Tasting notes
Happy to report that the 1970 vintage at Giscours is still alive and well, showing why it is such an iconic bottle. Deep ruby in colour with just a hint of tawny rose around the edges, creamy autumnal fruits, softly spoken and delicate but generous, with an emphasis on floral aromatics. It hovers above the palate, with fresh juicy acidities cushioning the autumnal raspberry fruit, held in place by confident, long-limbed tannins and a mouthwatering finish. Holding on better than the 1982. Emily Peynaud consultant, Tari family owners.
Critic scores
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Robert Parker
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Tasted at the Château Giscours vertical, the 1970 Château Giscours is one of the famous wines alongside the 1961, 1966 and 1975 that made the reputation of the Margaux property. I have had great bottles in the past, although on this occasion it was "good" but not "great". The color is deep for a 1970, the bouquet a little rustic with tertiary scents, a light seaweed influence, but a little frayed around the edges. The palate has faded a little since I last tasted it, the tannins a little dry, but still with commendable substance. On this occasion it was outclassed by the magnificent 1961, but I would be intrigued to see how larger formats would be showing. Tasted June 2015.
Very deep blackish ruby. Very rich and sweet – quite different in style from the ethereal Lafite 1973 tasted immediately before it. Full and rich and sweet. Dense and deep. Lush and luscious. Much more generous than most 1970s. Very clean, fresh finish. Big and burly. Very distinctive, if not exactly subtle. The 1970 Giscours was always a very successful wine, made in the Pierre Tari era. (JR)
The 1970 Giscours continues to offer a large-scaled, spicy, licorice, earth, cedar, curranty, and leathery nose backed-up by muscular, full-bodied, tannic flavors. This fully mature, fleshy, distinctive wine is unlikely to ever completely shed its tannin, but there is good size, fine ripeness, and an overall sense of balance. It is one of the better efforts from Giscours. Wine Advocate.June, 1996
About the producer
Ch. Giscours is a Third Growth estate situated in the Médoc appellation of Margaux. With a long and somewhat chequered history, the estate has seen an impressive rise in quality since the early 2000s and is only getting better.