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Talbot 2021

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

A very well-known château 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 2021 Talbot offers up aromas of black fruits, licorice and toasty oak, followed by a medium-bodied palate with a fleshy attack that segues into a concentrated but also somewhat firm, angular palate. It will require a bit of patience. Drink Date: 2027 - 2040

88+
William Kelley, Wine Advocate, February 2024

The 2021 Talbot, the Saint-Julien stalwart now under the aegis of Jean-Michel Laporte for several years, was picked from September 27 to October 11 at 44hL/ha and matured in 60% new oak, the alcohol registering 12.8%. It has a clean, focused and correct bouquet, hints of blood orange and graphite surfacing with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with a supple entry. This feels cohesive and smooth, delivering moderate depth and a touch of licorice toward the finish. I would have just liked a little more on the aftertaste. (12.8% alcohol)

90/92
Neal Martin, vinous.com, May 2022

The 2021 is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. The yield was 44 hl/ha - a bit more than last year. Mid ruby-purple in colour. Sweet red fruit, with a lightly sanguin, iron tone that adds a savoury, moreish character. The palate is juicy and refined, with an effortless intensity and elegance. Cool hedgerow fruit and fine, ripe tannins make for a compact and classic style. This is a very good example of working with the vintage rather than trying to force a different style. Long with pure blue fruit on the finish.

91/93
Thomas Parker MW, Farr Vintners, April 2022

A fruity and attractive 2021 with currant and berry aromas and flavors. Hints of citrus. Medium body. Fresh finish.

92/93
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, May 2022

The 2021 Talbot is composed of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot, harvested from 27 September to 11 October, and aging in 60% new oak. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it gives up notes of black raspberries, red plum preserves, and cassis, plus hints of tar, cedar, and charcuterie. Light-bodied, it is clean and savory in the mouth with chewy tannins and a woody finish. pH 3.71.
2025-2035

86/88+
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent, May 2022

This feels old school in the best way, a nod to the classic vintages of the past, with concentration and structure, powerful but savoury and sculpted cassis and blackberry fruits, curls of bitter black chocolate and spice. Great quality. 44hl/h yield, and a natural 12% alcohol, really leaning into the vintage, successfully so.

92
Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com, April 2022

71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. Cask sample.
Open and aromatic with blackcurrant and mineral notes. Palate unusually seductive at this stage, the fruit supple and tannins finely honed. Some grip and drive on the finish. Medium-bodied and compact, if not quite the depth of a top year. (JL)
Drink 2028 – 2038

16+
James Lawther MW, JancisRobinson.com, May 2022
Read more tasting notes...

The 2021 Talbot is promising, exhibiting aromas of wild berries, cherries, cigar wrapper and sweet spices, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered and velvety palate that's bright and seamless, with an enveloping, charming profile despite analytically rather high levels of polyphenols. This is a fine effort that reminds Jean-Michel Laporte of the 2001 vintage in style—though the 2021 will benefit from all the improvements that the last two decades have witnessed at this address. Tasted four times.

91/92+
William Kelley, Wine Advocate (260), April 2022
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.