Dutch tycoon Eric Albada Jelgersma acquired Château Giscours in the mid-1990s and renovated the third-growth Margaux estate into one of the best names from Bordeaux. The winery is best known for such classic vintages as 1961 and 1970, but James Suckling says its current years, particularly the 2009 and 2010, will be of even better quality—and at a reasonable price.

2000 Decadent and rich like the great vintage it is. Shows glorious ripe fruit, spice, dark berry, meat and chocolate aromas and flavours. Full body, solid and condensed. Really delicious now; drink or hold. 55% cabernet sauvignon, 40% merlot, 5% cabernet franc. 93 points

2001 Gorgeous—features plum, berry, coffee and hints of shaved chocolate. Full-bodied, firm and chewy tannins, and a long, flavourful finish. Drink now. 60% cabernet franc, 40% merlot. 92 points

2003 This has always been one of the top 2003s, with lots of dark berry, plum, fresh flowers and dark spices. Full-bodied, with lots of fruit and velvety tannins. Chewy texture. A delicious wine to drink now, but better to decant two hours in advance. Drink or hold. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 40% merlot. 95 points

2004 Wonderful freshness and drinkability. Medium to full body, firm tannins, and a chewy and bright finish. Currant and dark chocolate flavours. An attractive wine now. 58% cabernet sauvignon, 42% merlot.
93 points

2008 There’s a very good core of red fruits here such as strawberries, as well as flowers and minerals. Full to medium body, firm tannins, and a fresh and clean finish. The tangy acidity of the vintage still comes out, but it’s just about ready to drink now. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 5% petit verdot. 92 points

2009: This legendary vintage produced a great Giscours with lots of blackcurrant, blueberry and hot stone character. Full-bodied, firm and chewy. Wonderful depth and structure. Needs at least another three years to soften and show you its true greatness, yet you could decant two or three hours before serving and still enjoy now. 53% cabernet sauvignon, 40% merlot, 7% petit verdot. 95 points

2010 A real purity and beauty to this red with blackberry, blackcurrant, light tar and cloves. Full body, firm tannins and a chewy finish. A structured and rich wine. Starting to look better than the superb 2009. Better in 2018. 71% cabernet sauvignon, 29% merlot. 96 points

2011 I like the plum and currant character, with tea leaf on the nose. It follows through to the palate, with firm tannins and assertive acidity. Needs time to soften; better in 2017. 75% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot, 5% petit verdot. 92 points

2012 Lots of tar, dark berry and walnut aromas in this wine. Full body, solid core of fruit and fresh tannins, and a mineral, dark berry and stone character. Drink or hold. 69% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot, 4% cabernet franc. 92 points