Tasted at the Chateau Giscours vertical, both Robert Parker and I have given similarly tepid remarks towards the 1961 Chateau Giscours, even though it had a reputation as one of the best Margaux wines of that fabled vintage. This bottle was the real deal - a simply magnificent wine that far surpassed every vintage until recent years. It has a deep color like the 1970 Giscours, however, the nose is far superior. It is beautifully defined with dark berry fruit, a light marine influence, a distant tang of seaweed and bay leaf. The palate is medium-bodied and of course fully matured. There is far more weight and presence than the 1970, with fine tannin and perfect acidity. Unlike the 1980s when half of the vineyard was planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, this would have contained around 80%, which lends for a much better wine. The harmony and silkiness of texture are simply wonderful. This must have been a benchmark Giscours in its day. Tasted June 2015.

This wine has held up nicely despite having been fully mature for well over 15 years. The color has lightened into a medium dusty ruby, but the rich, full, earthy, superripe, curranty bouquet is still lively and penetrating. In the mouth, the wine has the foursquare, beefy, chunky character that often characterizes Giscours, a certain tarry, slightly oxidized character, but finishes with plenty of richness and a heady alcohol content. This wine requires immediate consumption. Last tasted, 1/91.