Chateau Talbot 2015

Château Talbot, 4eme Grand Cru Classé Saint Julien, Bordeaux, France, 2015  

Grapes: 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. 103ha vineyard, 50 year average vine age, aged 15 months in oak barrels (50% new wood)

A big, burly wine with masses of ripe fruit and firm, chunky tannins. Not the most sophisticated of the Saint Julien classed growths but plenty of sweet, gutsy fruit and a long finish. 

"The nose is fruity, well-structured, powerful, elegant, racy and offers finesse and concentration. It reveals notes of blackberry, gravels / terroir and slight notes of cassis associated with small notes of wild strawberry, ripe redcurrant as well as discreet touches of gray pepper, black cherry, cardamom and vanilla / licorice. The nose is marked by the Cabernet. The palate is fruity, well balanced, silky, beautifully racy, slightly tight and offers a slight mineral frame, delicacy, suavity, a beautiful harmony as well as a slighty juiciness. On the palate this wine expresses notes of ripe cherry and ripe / fleshy raspberry associated with touches of strawberry, blackberry as well as subtle toasted touches and vanilla. Gourmandise and a slight juiciness on the finish. (Drink 2022+)"

93-94/100 points, VertdeVin, February 2018

"A well made charmer. The wine opens with a smoke and espresso filled nose that adds black cherry, licorice and cassis as the wine takes in air. Soft, refined, forward and open, a few years will add more to the round textured, polished finish."

92/100 points, Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider, March 2018