1996 Giscours

Tasted at the Chateau Giscours vertical, the 1996 Chateau Giscours is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot picked between September 9 and 23. It has never been a really great vintage for this Margaux address, despite the benevolent growing season for the Left Bank. The nose is nicely defined with light red berry fruit, but there is a distracting medicinal scent that puts me off and detracts from terroir expression. The palate is medium-bodied with light tannin, a little dusty and dour with a thin and rather lackluster finish. It just seems ordinary. Tasted June 2015. Jul 2016, www.robertparker.com

Neal Martin    Score: 81/100