Chateau Giscours is located in the Margaux appellation of Bordeaux, France. In the 1855 Médoc classification, Chateau Giscours was classified as a third growth. It is affectionately known as "The Mermaid Castle" because of the elegant golden mermaid on its wine labels.
Like many renowned French wineries, Chateau Giscours has a long history, dating back to the 14th century when the estate was merely a defensive tower on the wasteland. In 1552, the wealthy Bordeaux cloth merchant Pierre de Lhomme purchased the land and planted the first vines. Over the following centuries, subsequent generations of the castle's owners contributed to wine production and the construction of the estate.
In the 19th century, with the strong support of the Pescatore and Cruse families, Chateau Giscours began to emerge as a prominent player. The winery's castle was transformed in a neoclassical style, beautiful and grand, with rare tree species planted by the renowned landscape architect Eugene Bulher. In addition, numerous new estate buildings were constructed, and its production facilities were modernized. Matching the winery's magnificent architecture, the reputation of its wines grew increasingly prominent, and in 1855, Chateau Giscours was classified as a Third Growth. Affected by world wars and economic downturn, Chateau Giscours experienced a period of decline. In 1995, Dutch businessman Eric Albada Jelgersma took over the winery. Driven by a belief in restoring the winery to its former glory, Eric Albada Jelgersma invested considerable effort in numerous modern renovations, gradually revitalizing the winery and ushering in a new chapter of revival and modernization.
Chateau Giscours, or "Mermaid Castle," covers approximately 94 hectares of vineyards, planted with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. About 33% of the vines are over 25 years old. The vineyards have typical Margaux alluvial gravel and sandy soils, with the gravel playing a crucial role. It reflects sunlight, maintaining a stable temperature at night, and provides excellent drainage, ideal for grape ripening. A mild climate is another contributing factor. These factors combine to create a delicate balance, making the terroir highly conducive to vine growth and fruit ripening.
Winemaking
Chateau Giscours employs traditional winemaking methods, resulting in wines with a distinctive flavor. When producing its flagship wine, Chateau Giscours, Margaux, France, the winery first ferments the grapes in temperature-controlled cement tanks and stainless steel vats for about 18-28 days at a temperature of 26°C-28°C. The pressing process involves both horizontal airbag pressing and vertical mechanical pressing. After fermentation, the wine is aged in French oak barrels for 15-18 months, with 50% new barrels. During this period, racking is performed every 3 months, and finally, the wine is clarified with egg whites.
