2012 Château Giscours

The 2012 Giscours is a wine that did not perform well at the Southwold Ten-Year-On blind tastings. Two years later, the nose is attractive with raspberry, cedar and light sous-bois scents, although it does miss some intensity. The palate is rather sharp on the entry and does not have the elegance of the previous vintage. As I commented before, the 2012 misses some substance on the finish compared to other vintages

Another success in a run of good vintages at Giscours since 2010, showcasing the gourmet, unfussy and easy to approach quality of the 2012 vintage. Fennel and cocoa bean notes dust the sweet damson and blackberry fruits, with grilled oak evident. This is good to drink now, but there is now rush, and plenty of coiled power that suggests good ageing ahead for a least another decade. 50% new oak for ageing. Denis Dubourdieu consultant, Didier Forêt technical director. Harvest September 27 to October 17.

The 2012 Giscours has a lively nose with maraschino cherry, raspberry coulis and light cedar scents. The palate is nicely structured, quite ferrous with noticeable acidity, red fruit laced with black pepper and clove, again, quite ferrous towards the finish. Fine, yet it lacks some substance. Tasted blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.