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Talbot 2018

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Julien
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon/Merlot

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.

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Label

Tasting Notes

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.

96
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, March 2021

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

91+
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (End of Mar), March 2021

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

17.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, February 2022

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

16.5+
Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2019

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.

92
Farr Vintners, Farr Tasting, April 2019

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.

93/95
Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com, May 2019

(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.

17.5
Matthew Jukes, MatthewJukes.com, April 2019
Read more tasting notes...

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.

94/95
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2019

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.

91/93
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (April 2019), April 2019
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.