Well defined, intense black fruits on the nose are a little reserved, but I like the depth to the fruit on the palate. There's definitely a lot to like here, with the generous liquorice and chocolate you often find in Giscours along with firm, brambly black fruit flavours and the elegant freshness of the vintage. It's nearly ready to drink, generous in feel if not hugely full-throttle compared to the 2009 and 2010. I would suggest leaving those two vintages for another few years and instead look at this, with a good carafing first. 3% Petit Verdot makes up the blend.

Dark ruby colour, silky texture to the tannins, pomegranate and cassis coupled with orange bitter rind, aniseed, cocoa bean, with grip and length. bitter chocoolate. This is a brilliant 2011, one of the best in the appellation, one to look out for. Harvest September 8 to October 1, 50% new oak for ageing. Denis Dubourdieu consultant, Didier Forêt technical director.

Power and ripeness walk hand-in-hand with this major player. The wine is opulent and extracted with flavors of rich blackberry fruits, but shows a firmness in tannins and dense texture. Drink from 2018 and it's sure to be a great success.

The 2011 Giscours is tighter on the nose that its peers and demanded more coaxing, blackberry and melted tar, graphite and hints of blood orange. Good complexity. The palate is taut and fresh, well defined with crisp, edgy tannins, graphite and tobacco towards the finish that has a Pauillac-like character. This is drinking well, better than two or three years ago, and should give a decade’s worth of drinking pleasure. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting. -- Neal Martin

Offers a solid core of violet, plum, red licorice, currant paste and sanguine notes that fill out steadily through the fleshy finish. A mesquite hint lurks in the background and should emerge more with cellaring, as there's ample stuffing in reserve here. Best from 2016 through 2027. – JM