Description
The 2016 Château Talbot, a 4th Cru Classé from Saint-Julien, is a dense and charming wine from a 105-hectare vineyard. The vines, averaging 61 years old, benefit from an ideal location near the Gironde estuary. The vintage, influenced by a mix of rainy and dry weather, produced high-quality, aromatic grapes. The wine is made from 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot. Aged in 50% new oak barrels, it shows a deep color, floral and fruity aromas (blackberry, fig), with a refined, tannic structure and a refreshing, balanced finish.
Reviews
JancisRobinson.com 17.5/20
55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot. Deep crimson hue. Pure, ripe, dark-fruit aroma intertwined with a smoky, flinty freshness. Still quite closed but very precise. Generous mid-palate fruit covers a plethora of firm but fine tannin. Structured but seductive at the same time. Lifts and drives with a saline note on the finish. Both delicious and ambitious. (JL) [James Lawther MW, 08/02/2022]
Anticipated maturity: 2026-2046
Vinous 92
The 2016 Talbot takes a little coaxing from the glass. The almost Margaux-like nose features pure blackberry and black cherries, and violets come through with time. You just want it to give you more. The medium-bodied palate is a little gravelly and saline, with fine tannin and a structured finish that needs more finesse and complexity. This is a fine classic Talbot, though not in the same league as the appellation’s front-runners. [Neal Martin, 24/01/2019]
Anticipated maturity: 2022-2045
Robert Parker 92
The 2016 Talbot is medium garnet-purple colored and opens with pretty floral notes of roses and lavender with a core of cassis, blackberry preserves and kirsch plus wafts of cigar box and spearmint. Medium-bodied with a lovely intensity of black and red fruit flavors, it has a ripe, grainy texture and compelling freshness, finishing savory. [Lisa Perrotti-Brown, 30/11/2018]
Anticipated maturity: 2020-2036
Producer Profile
Area under vines: 104 hectares
Soils: fine Gunzian gravel on a core of fossil-rich limestone
Average age of the vines: 42 years
Aging: in 50-60% new oak barrels for 14 months
Grape varieties:
- Cabernet Sauvignon 68 %
- Merlot 28 %
- Petit Verdot 4 %
Second wine: Le Connetable Talbot
- Grape varieties:
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Petit Verdot
