1988 Giscours
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Tasting notes
Signficantly better than the 1985, this has energy and momentum, fine tannins, tobacco, mint, soft crayon and red liqourice, all with a moreish mouthwatering quality. Truly showing the beauty of older Bordeaux. Love the saffron and white pepper lift on the finish. Michel Rolland consultant, taking over from jean-Paul Gardère. Tari family owners.
Critic scores
Average Score
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 1988 Giscours showed more vestige of fruit than the 1988 du Tertre with light mulberry and blackberry scents, touches of wild hedgerow and orange peel. The palate is medium-bodied with light tannin, a little dry in the mouth with some astringency towards the finish, although there is decent substance. It is old school Bordeaux, the proverbial gentleman’s claret, an acceptable Giscours for the time although the wine is far superior nowadays. Tasted at the château.
The 1988 Giscours is an extremely overripe wine, with aromas of prunes, peaches, and apricots. Loosely structured, sweet and flabby, this plump wine does not have the tannin necessary to give it grip. It should be drunk over the next 4-5 years.
Very firm in texture, with sharply focused currant, smoke and leather aromas and flavors that come off as gamy as they linger on the finish. The tannins keep it in check, but it's a possibility for long-term development. Best after 1995. 33,000 cases made. -James Suckling, Wine Spectator 1991
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.