Chateau Giscours 2016
Although there was a defensive military tower standing on the land of Chateau Giscours, the real beginning occurred in 1555 when Pierre de Lhomme purchased a noble house called “Guyscoutz” He planted the first vines and slowly enlarged the estate. A myriad of owners followed, but in 1845 Count de Pescatore purchased the property and hired Pierrre Skawinski as manager. Pierre Skawinski may be one of the most influential people in the Bordeaux wine trade. He designed a plow which still bears his name but he had revolutionary ideas about using gravity to move wine. This is common place now, but it was revolutionary in the late 1800s. Pierre remained as manager for 50 years outlasting the Pescatore family as owners. The Cruse wine merchant family purchased the estate and quickly sold it in 1913. The vineyard fell into disrepair, at one time, only 10 hectares were bearing grapes. The Tari family purchased it and started to rebuild the estate. They sold in 1995 to Eric Jeigerma who still owns the Estate.
The 102 hectare vineyard of Chateau Giscours is planted to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. There has been an increase in the Cabernet Sauvignon percentage in recent years. The wine is one of the more masculine wines from Margaux. The estate has 63 hectares of vines in the Haut Medoc appelation, so there is a separate wine called Haut Medoc de Giscours which should not be confused as a Second wine from Chateau Giscours. It is an completely separate wine.
