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History
The first mention made of Château Giscours dates back to around 1330 when it was referred to as a fortified dungeon. In 1552, documents concerning the sale of the estate show that it was then recognised as a vineyard. The property was sold at a price of 1000 pounds, passing from vendor Gabriel Giraud to new owner Pierre L'Homme. Reference is made in the Féret, considered as the bible of Bordeaux wines, of Giscours being served to Louis XIV who, it was said, appreciated the wine.
In 1789, the estate belonged to the Saint-Simon family, as with many other Bordeaux chateaux, the estate was confiscated with the Revolution, coming into the hands of the local citizens as National Property. Numerous owners then followed, one of whom was the Count of Pescatore, a great Parisian banker, who ordered the rebuilding of the château in 1847 in a manner to receive the Empress Eugénie. The 1855 classification ranked the wines of Giscours a Margaux 3rd classified growth. Giscours passed from owner to owner, going through a period of decline which only ended when the estate was bought by Nicolas Tari after the Second World War. He undertook a general renovation of the estate, one of the most significant works being the creation of an artificial lake, which is today a key element in Giscours’ microclimate. One of the most important tasks was to find an ecological balance for the vineyard. The restoration of the château was then carried out, followed by an overhaul of the vineyard and cellar equipment.After a run of financial difficulties, the wine growing business of Château GISCOURS brought in the outside investment and acumen of Eric Albada Jelgersma, a Dutch businessman, together with his family.Francophiles for many years now, they fell in love with the Médoc, and since their arrival have spent a part of their time learning the skills of vine growing and wine making. They have invested in the renovation of the vineyard and the cellars and have increased the capital. Eric Albada Jelgersma today owns 100 % of the Château Giscours wine growing business. And he also owns the neighboring Margaux property Chateau du Tertre outright.In January 2001, the business was awarded the certification of its quality system in accordance with the regulations of ISO 9002. Château Giscours was the first of the Bordeaux classed growths to take this bold, modern and innovative step.
Nowadays’ Owner: Eric Albada Jelgersma
Technique Information
Location: Chateau Giscours is located in the commune of Labarde-Margaux. This is in the Bordeaux region of Southwest France.
Appellation: Appellation Margaux Controlee
Neighboring Chateau: Chateau d’Issan (3rd Growth of Margaux in1855)
Acreage: Stretching over more than 85 hectares (210 acres), of which 80.5 are in production, and set among 300 hectares (740 acres) of grassland and forest. The vineyard is split into two separate blocks and 43 perfectly distinct plots.
Soil: Coarse and medium coarse gravel over steep, well-drained slopes, the gravel is mixed in the subsoil with coarse sand.
Grape Varietals: 53 % Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot makes up 42 %, 5% is composed of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
Average age of vines: One quarter of Château Giscours’ plots is over 40 years old.
Cultivation density: 8,300 to 10,000 plants per hectare
Viticulture: Pruning (Double Guyot) leaving on each of these canes 2 to 3 buds.Picked by hand
Winemaking: Automatic temperature control system vats. Racking every three months, fining with egg white. Aging 16 to 18 months.
Yield: 5,000hl/ha
Brand: Château Giscours(First Label)(A.O.C. Margaux)
La Sirène de Giscours(Second Label)(A.O.C. Margaux)
Château Duthil(Crus Bourgeois)(A.O.C. Medoc)
Château La Hourinque(Crus Bourgeois)(A.O.C. Medoc)
Le Haut Medoc de Giscours(A.O.C. Medoc)
Château Rose la Biche(Crus Bourgeois)(A.O.C. Medoc)
Annually production: Château Giscours (First Label): 25,000 cases (varies with vintage)
La Sirène de Giscours (Second Label): approximately10, 000 cases
Character:
Ch. Giscours is characterized by a very deep color, very intense and concentrated flavors, and a rich construction that is high in tannin
Best Vintages: Château Giscours (First Label): 2000, 2005
Award: 3rd Grand Cru Classe in 1855 Margaux.
Website: http://www.chateau-giscours.fr/
Serving Suggestion
Cellar Humidity and Temperature: 70-85%, 15℃
Serving Temperature: 18°C
Optimum drinking and ageing potential: 12-15 years
Food match:
Château Giscours(First Label):
Western Food: Beef, poultry, cheese, pasta with cream sauce, hearty stew, pizza, pork, veal, game.
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