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Talbot 2019

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.

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Label

Tasting Notes

The 2019 Talbot is performing well, opening in the glass with aromas of earthy cassis, plums, burning embers and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and succulent, with powdery tannins, lively acids and a savory finish, it's Jean-Michel Laporte's second vintage at this sleeping giant of Saint-Julien. This will be an estate to watch closely going forward. drink 2027-2055

Of this estate's 110 hectares, occupying one large block, 94 are planted to red varieties. The grand vin consistently derives from the plateau's higher-altitude gravel soils, but other parcels make a contribution in some vintages (Talbot also own a solitary one-hectare block within the heart of Gruaud Larose that they are reluctant to part with). Historically, the density of plantation at Talbot was always rather low—because it was ploughed by oxen rather than by horse, Jean-Michel Laporte speculates—but new plantings these days are at 8,000 vines per hectare, with Merlot being replaced by Cabernet Sauvignon in the deep gravels. In 2006, modernization began, with lower yields, a later harvest and war on Brettanomyces (almost a house signature in the past). Laporte, formerly winemaker of Pomerol's La Conseillante, has continued his predecessor's work and seeks to bring a bit more mid-palate volume to the wine, increasing somewhat the percentage of new oak to 60%. 2019 is his second vintage at Talbot, and it's certainly impressive. Anyone who has tasted wines such as the 1945, 1982 and 1986 knows what Talbot can achieve, so this is clearly an estate to watch.

93
William Kelley, RobertParker.com (April 2022), April 2022

The 2019 Talbot was one of the best recent vintages that I had tasted when a sample was sent to me last year, in no small part thanks to the appointment of Jean-Michel Laporte. The 2019 has a large proportion (69%) of Cabernet Sauvignon, higher than previous vintages. Bottled in May 2021, it retains that delineated, focused bouquet of blackberry scents and touches of pencil lead, hints of raspberry and cedar. Just classic Saint-Julien. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins and a superb line of acidity. Much more cohesive with more substance than prior vintages. There is a touch of spiciness toward the lingering finish, which reveals tobacco and gravel-like notes. Talbot made a great wine in 2019 and it will age with style. 14.1% alcohol 2026 - 2055

94
Neal Martin, vinous.com, February 2022

The 2019 is a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, which represents the highest proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon in recent years. Talbot is often a little reticent at such a young stage and so it proved at this tasting, but there is excellent underlying quality here for those looking to lay down wines for ageing. Deep purple colour, slightly closed on the nose but with hints of pure black fruit slowly revealing themselves in the glass. There is an array of spice bursting to get out but for now the aromas are tight. It is on the palate this wine shows its class. A tightly wound ball of fruit reveals pure, unforced and elegant blackcurrant, dark cherry and plum. The tannins envelop everything for now, but they are fine, ripe and well managed. This is a wine of great potential, with savoury depth and a very long finish. Give this time and patience will be rewarded.

93
Thomas Parker MW, Farr Vintners, November 2021

Ripe redcurrants and plums with violet and other flowers on the nose. Full-bodied with firm, polished tannins that are ripe yet firm. Pure fruit here. Pretty center-palate. Chewy finish. Give this at least five or six years to come around. Best after 2026.

95
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, January 2022

Casting a deep garnet-purple color, the 2019 Talbot leaps from the glass with vibrant notions of crushed blackberries, boysenberries and ripe blackcurrants plus hints of pencil shavings, cardamom, incense and Ceylon tea. Medium-bodied, the palate is refreshing and nicely balanced, featuring a good core of crunchy black fruit and soft, approachable tannins, finishing with earthy restraint. 2023 - 2040

91/93
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (July Week ), July 2020

Dark chocolate shavings and espresso aromatics on the nose, this has great depth of expression and plenty to grab hold of. Well worked tannins that are powerful and muscular but also flushed with juice. This will age well, has improved from En Primeur and this is an upscore. Highest ever level of Cabernet Sauvignon, harvest 19 September to 8 October. 60% new oak.

94
Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com, January 2022

Tasted blind. Well-knit nose and a very sweet start. Easy to like, but quite evolved. 13.5%
Drink 2027
– 2040

16.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, February 2023

The 2019 is a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, which represents the highest proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon in recent years. There was a move to more extraction earlier in the fermentation, with the aim to increase roundness and power in the mid-palate. The yield is 46hl/ha, which is similar to 2018. The wine will spend 16 months in 60% new French oak. Deep ruby in colour, with cassis and liquorice on the nose. The palate is fresher, with fresh blackcurrant forming the base of a lithe and vibrant fruit core. The tannins are chalky but well integrated, allowing the fruit to shine. A well-proportioned and harmonious Talbot that focuses on balance over concentration. Long and savoury on the finish. Jean-Michel Laporte's influence is starting to take effect in the glass with this excellent effort.

92/94
Farr Vintners, Farr Tasting, May 2020

The 2019 Château Talbot is straight-up impressive, sporting a dense purple hue as well as a powerful nose of cassis, scorched earth, smoked tobacco, and spicy wood. Rich, black-fruited, medium to full-bodied, and structured, it's a rock-solid, balanced Saint-Julien that will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and age for 15-20 years.

93+
Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com, April 2022

Well-built and rather refined for the vintage, with a deep well of red and black currant paste and plum reduction flavors supported by a deeply inlaid iron note, all of which run the length of the wine. Offers subtle savory, tobacco and singed cedar notes that add range, with a savory echo that leaves a mouthwatering feel in the end. Built to cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2025 through 2040. 23,333 cases made, 1,167 cases imported.

95
James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, November 2022

69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. Barrel sample.
Overt spice and cassis nose. Palate juicy and invigorating. Perhaps a little leaner than some. Firm, grainy tannins provide the structure and finish. (JL)
Drink 2026 – 2038

16.5
James Lawther MW, JancisRobinson.com, June 2020
Read more tasting notes...

From: Bordeaux 2019: The Southwold Tasting (Feb 2023)

The 2019 Talbot has a very peppermint scented nose that slightly obscures the terroir profile - quite opulent and showy. The palate is medium-bodied with that mintiness continuing, a little New World in style. A modern sheen here with a slightly confit finish. The imprimatur of the growing season is stronger here compared to others. Not sure if this bottle is 100% representative so I will not score this. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.

- By Neal Martin on January 2023

Neal Martin, vinous.com (Southwold), February 2023

The 2019 Talbot has a very cohesive bouquet, "streamlined" being the operative word, before opening gradually to reveal a Pauillac-inspired aromatics, pencil shaving scents permeating the black fruit. Yet it is still unmistakably Talbot. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins, creamy in texture with more depth in the middle than previous vintages (a shortcoming that, estate director Jean-Michel Laporte told me in the past he wants to address.) The great aspect of this Talbot is that it doesn't take its foot off the pedal on the finish, exerting impressive grip with that pencil lead lingering in the mouth. Superb. Expect this to land at the top of my banded score. 2026 - 2055

93/95
Neal Martin, vinous.com, June 2020

A juicy, fruity wine with lots of blue fruit, blackberries and dark chocolate. Pretty depth and structure to this. Polished and structured at the same time.

94/95
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, May 2020

St Julien's largest property at 110ha (up there with Lagrange if you're keeping track), this has lovely plump black fruits on the nose. Takes hold right from the start, with clear tannic build and a silky character to the tannins. This continues the run of good vintages that Talbot has been producing since 2016. Well balanced, with plenty of St Julien character. Tasted twice two weeks apart. Highest ever level of Cabernet Sauvignon at the estate. Harvest 19 September to 8 October. 60% new oak. Drinking Window 2026 - 2040

93
Jane Anson, Decanter.com, June 2020

69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot.
Scented, concentrated, really rather intense. Everything is here in a savoury, dry way for a glorious future. Fine and fresh. And less aggressively dry on the end than the Langoa. 14%
Drink 2028 – 2046

17
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, December 2021
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.