| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Julien |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
A very well-known Chateau throughout the world. En Primeur prices are usually reasonable and the popularity of the name ensures strong demand and increased prices when it is ready to drink. Not normally a wine to win blind tastings as it is relatively early-maturing, but always popular. The big, 105 hectare, vineyard is planted with 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. Stephane Derenoncourt consults here. Jean-Michel Laporte (formerly of La Conseillante) is now in charge here and he is certainly upping the quality. There is now more body, depth and power than the Talbots of the past, but it is still fairly approachable at an early age. The new oak has been increased from 50% to 60% in 2018 and the blend is 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot.
Not only is the 2018 Talbot the first vintage in which Jean-Michel Laporte was fully in charge, but it comes in a uniquely designed bottle to celebrate the centennial of ownership by the Cordier family. Fortunately, its contents make the grade. This Talbot is well defined and focused on the nose, offering blackberry, bilberry and cedar scents and an attractive floral component that becomes more evident with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied and cohesive, with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity and good depth. Layers of blackberry and cranberry fruit intertwine with cedar and touches of graphite on the finish, completing an excellent Talbot that may improve further with bottle age. 2023 - 2045
Rich aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, chocolate, tobacco and licorice. Oyster shell, too. It’s full-bodied with firm, well integrated tannins. Polished, silky layers with a long finish. Gorgeous ripe and bright fruit in the center palate. Best in a long time. Try from 2025.
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Talbot features notions of baked blackcurrants, stewed plums and bouquet garni with hints of tilled soil, tobacco leaf and pencil lead. The medium-bodied palate is softly textured with bags of juicy black fruits supported by chewy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing savory. 2023 - 2038
Vibrant plum colour, warm and welcoming aromatics, cloves and turmeric spice, this stretches out through the palate, showing a luscious, satiny texture that reflects the warmth of the vintage, and the slightly higher alcohols than usual (rare at Talbot, that tends to show lower alcohols than its neighbours, like Lafite in Pauillac). Black chocolate, espresso, fennel, cassis and gunsmoke, generous and a little atypical. Special anniversary bottle to celebrate 100 years under the Bignon-Cordier family. 60% new oak for ageing as of this vintage, and Jean-Michel Laporte's first as director.
Tasted blind. Blackish crimson. Lifted, exciting nose. Dense and dramatic. Lots of pace here with fruit and tannin nicely balanced for a long drinking window. Neat and long even if relatively restrained. 14.5%
Drink 2026 – 2046
66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot; 60% new oak. Now made by Jean-Michel Laporte. Barrel sample.
Deepest black-cherry colour. Sweet cassis and blueberry fruit. Smooth and juicy on the palate, much more apparently approachable than many but there’s a deep core of ripe tannin hiding behind the juicy fruit. Thickly textured on the finish yet promising. (JH) 14%
Drink 2026-2036
Deep ruby colour, with a rich nose of black cherry and cassis, and subtle undertones of creamy vanilla and toasty oak. The palate is plush, richer and bolder than previous vintages, with ripe black fruit framed by cedary, chalky tannins. There is a smoky note throughout that is integrated and subtle, adding a savoury complexity without dominating the fruit. Waves of acidity keep the freshness, and there is still a hint of dried herbs, but this is a riper and fuller Talbot, and all the better for it.
This estate is on a roll and the 2018 Château Talbot might just be the best yet. A deep purple/blue color is followed by a mammoth-sized bouquet of crème de cassis, dark chocolate, tobacco, and lead pencil. Rich, full-bodied, and powerful, it nevertheless stays pure, balanced, and elegant, with a beautiful finish. Its tannins are ripe and integrated, it has balancing acidity, and this is unquestionably another beautiful vintage for this estate.
(66 Cabernet Sauvignon, 29 Merlot, 5 Petit Verdot) | 60% new oak | 14% alc The black cherry theme here is very attractive and the richness and silkiness on the palate certainly signals a successful wine. Smooth and round, the acid and tannin are both neatly tucked under the fruit and the result is a balanced Talbot which will soften and relax in no time at all. I like this vintage a lot at Talbot as it has harnessed a little more ripeness than usual and this serves to bolster their style.
The 2018 Talbot is Jean-Marc Laporte’s first vintage in charge, although he mentioned that he has not changed a great deal. It has an intense bouquet with blackberry, blueberry and violets aromas with much more vivacity than recent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe tannins and clearly more mid-palate. There is just more body and presence to this Talbot compared to previous vintages, more tension and grip on the graphite tinged finish. This is very promising not only for this vintage, but for the future of Talbot. Watch this space/château. 2023 - 2045
Very attractive core of pretty fruit and polished yet chewy tannins. Medium to full body, integrated tannins and a driven finish. One of the best Talbots in a long time.
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Talbot is just a little reduced to begin, opening out to reveal notions of warm red and black currants, baked plums and mulberries with touches of sautéed herbs, tilled soil, fallen leaves and unsmoked cigars. Medium to full-bodied, it has commendably ripe, fine-grained tannins and restrained, earthy layers on offer in the mouth with an herbal lift on the finish.
