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Get GROUND SHIPPING when you purchase 1 or more. 2006 Chateau Giscours - Margauxproduct-timed-pdf - Cru Classé (Third Growth),

Why We're Drinking It

Sourced for Premier Members, this is a Third Growth offering at an astounding sub $40 value. A wine with very limited quantities, it’s a wine not to hesitate on if you enjoy high quality production well worthy of Margaux status.

A wine from at Giscours which are spread over four gravel outcrops in Margaux, with a poor quality, slightly sandy, pebbly soil, te estate nears 400 hectares in size, of which 85 hectares are designated vineyards. Predominantly planted to (53%) and (42%), the remainder and .

Third Growth production rated 91 points by Wine Spectator; 90 points by Stephen Tanzer; 88-91 points by Robert Parker and 88 points by Connoisseurs' Guide it’s expressive and well integrated, perfect for the cellar when it will peak in the next few years.A wine that will reward those Premier Members early to the Inside, it’s a stellar pick, made for a lucky few; enjoy!

Tasting Notes

VARIETAL The 2006 presents a beautiful sparkling purple colour. Red Blend An expressive nose mingling aromas of dark fruit and subtle roasted notes. APPELLATION The clean attack develops with well-integrated, characterful tannins. Great Margaux Cru Classe purity on the finish. ALCOHOL The 2006 should reach its peak in about ten years. 13.00 SIZE 750ml BLEND The vineyards at Giscours are spread over four gravel outcrops in Margaux, Red Blend with a poor quality, slightly sandy, pebbly soil. The estate nears 400 AGING/COOPERAGE hectares in size, of which 85 hectares are designated vineyards, although at 15-18 Months French present there are just over 80 hectares planted up. The vines are planted at up to 10 000 vines/ha, a high density arrangement, and include a significant number of old vines; 25% are over 40 years of age. They are predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon (53%) and Merlot (42%), the remainder Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

In summer the vines see a leaf thinning and green harvest to push up the quality of fruit, which is harvested manually, destemmed and fermented plot by plot. Yields are typically less than 50 hl/ha, which is rather modest for . There is temperature control of fermentation and post-ferment maceration, then malolactic, and then the wine goes into oak barrels for up to eighteen months. During this time it is racked regularly, eventually fined but not filtered before bottling. The grand vin is Chateau Giscours, of which there are about 25 000 cases per annum, although this obviously varies with the vintage.

The Story to Know

The first written reference to the domain of Giscours, a deed confirming the sale of the Estate for 1,000 Pounds, dates from 1330 and refers to a fortified keep. Records of Giscours' vineyards go back to 1552. Giscour's early reputation for fine wine became increasingly apparent as time went on. A century later, Giscours charmed the palate of the "Roi Soleil" Louis the 14th, who is said to have had a particular inclination for the wine.

Subsequent owners came and went. The most noteworthy was the Count de Pescatore, a leading Parisian banker. In 1847, he laid the cornerstone of the remarkable chateau that still exists today. It was built in order to receive Empress Eugénie in the Renaissance style to which she was accustomed.

1855 was another landmark year, in which the wine of Château Giscours was officially recognised as a 3rd growth Margaux. Then, the domain had a number of other owners and the estate was purchased by Nicolas Tari after the Second World War. He undertook a modernisation programme. In 1995, the Société Anonyme d'Exploitation was acquired by Eric Albada Jelgersma. He immediately began investing in and cellar renovation. He also put together a new winemaking team in the spirit of generations of winegrowers who made this Estate the famous great growth it is today.

Ratings

91 Points - Wine Spectator

90 Points - Stephen Tanzer

88-91 Points - Robert Parker

88 Points - Connoisseurs' Guide

Reviews

"Herbaceous, earthy, truffle notes intermixed with sweet cherries, plums, and currants are present in this soft, medium garnet wine, which is surprisingly evolved and best drunk over the next 10-15 years. I like the wines plushness, and the concentration is certainly very good, but this is on a fast evolutionary track." -Wine Spectator

"Good deep ruby-red. Aromas of cassis, crushed blackberry and violet. Powerful on the attack, conveying a rather muscular impression of strong extraction. The black fruit flavors show a slight dip in the middle, then return strong on the finish, which features big, serious tannins." -Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

A deep ruby/plum/purple hue is followed by aromas of tar, licorice, black currants, and roasted herbs, sweet, sexy fruit, soft, velvety tannins, medium to full body, and impressive purity. Drink this plush Margaux over the next 15-18 years. -RP

"55% Cabernet Sauvignon; 40% Merlot; 5% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Complex and comparatively forward when measured against its more classically structured cousins, the 2006 Giscours is a mannerly wine of quiet sophistication. Its nicely proportioned mix of sweet fruit, oak and herbs offers lots to like now, and, if not built for the long-haul, it gets the nod for its refinement and near-term appeal." -Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wines