Talbot 2020

The 2020 Talbot exhibits aromas of cassis and plums mingled with hints of clove, violets and toasty new oak. Medium to full-bodied, with a rich core of fruit, powdery tannins and lively acids, it's quite strongly marked by its élevage out of the gates, and it's an open question for me as to whether there's enough depth here to integrate the barrel program and reassert its Saint-Julien identity. On each of the three occasions I tasted it, it left me wanting more. 90?

The 2020 Talbot contains the highest degree of Cabernet Sauvignon to date (76%). It has developed a wonderful, classically-styled nose built around black fruit laced with mint and graphite. The palate is very well balanced and again, classic in style, a touch of wild mint intimating Pauillac instead of Saint-Julien. The mid-palate demonstrates the weight that was missing in vintages of the Nineties. Plenty of freshness on the finish - this is an impressive Talbot.

A tight, focused young red with blackcurrant, lead-pencil and chocolate character. It’s full-bodied and tense with a long, flavorful finish.

The 2020 Talbot has a deep garnet-purple color. It sings of black cherries, fresh red and black plums, and blackcurrant preserves, followed by hints of spice cake, wild thyme, and cedar chest. The medium-bodied palate is chewy and refreshing, with just enough bright fruit and a lifted finish.

This is a great Talbot, a real success for the château. Subtle and deft touches throughout, from the smoked turmeric notes that lace the black fruits to the finessed aromatics that accompany the body of the wine. Balance and freshness, and a saline edge to the finish that is extremely moreish. Three years with Jean-Michel Laporte as director and he is doing great work.

Drinking Window 2026 - 2040

Full bottle 1,350 g. Cask sample taken 2 April. 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot. Aged in barrel, 60% new.
Dark crimson. Savoury, saline nose. Luscious palate entry with ripe fruit that almost smothers the tannin. A very good effort from Talbot with velvety tannins in profusion and some winning perfume too. This is doing well under ex-Conseillante Jean-Michel Laporte. 13.3%
Drink 2029 – 2046

The 2020 is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon (a record high here), with 21% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. The wine will be aged for 16 months in 60% new French oak. Bright ruby colour in the glass. Fresh blackcurrant and mint on the nose, layered with cool fresh cherry and a hint of toast. The palate is linear and fine, with an intense but compact core of hedgerow fruit. The tannins are fine but firm at this stage and will need time to integrate. The spicing from oak is well judged, bolstering the fruit without overpowering it. Cool and fresh to the finish.

(76% CS, 21% M, 3% PV; 13.3% ABV; 60% new)
Dense, fresh black-fruit and gravel impressions to smell; medium-full, fresh to crisp in acidity, very fine in firm tannin, classic, elegant, St-Julien balance; crisply ripe flavor, gently fleshy-cored, defined by a brisk acidity, and with just a touch of austerity, but fine, close-grained, quite complex, and with good length. Very good rather than grande année quality and character, just not the “ease” of, for example, the 2018 or 2019 here. Will certainly need time—a decade at least, I would say. 2030–45+.