Médoc Grand Cru Classé, Château Talbot comprises 107 hectares of vineyard cultivated in the heart of the Saint-Julien commune, an outstanding appellation, as it counts no fewer than 11 classified growths. Ideally situated on the banks of the estuary of the Gironde on hilltops of alluvial gravel... carried by the Dordogne River from the Massif Central and from the Pyrénées by the Garonne, Château Talbot’s terroir is exceptional The reds are dominated by the Cabernet Sauvignon variety (66% of the cultivated surface), the variety of choice in the Médoc, particularly in Saint Julien. This variety provides tannic structure and power. With 26% Merlot, the wines become rounder and more suave. Receptive to maturity, this variety brings more mellowness to the blending. To improve this alchemy of varieties and terroirs, the Petit Verdot provides a delicate touch, like spices in fine cuisine. A difficult variety to tame, it can prove an asset in outstanding vintage years. It is particularly pampered at Talbot, as Nancy Bignon-Cordier has a weakness for this enfant terrible. Undeniably, Talbot is one of the most famous Médoc wines. This fine reputation is no doubt due to a mysterious combination of factors, such as the size of its vineyard, nearly one hundred hectares, and the regularity of its wine. Nearly a century in the same family, the name Talbot is concise and hard-hitting, easy to pronounce in all languages and a part of our history… However, the first thing that makes Talbot popular is the wonderful nature of its wine. For many, Talbot embodies the ideal Saint Julien, a generous bouquet, extremely stable and dependable during aging,’ emphasize Bettane and Desseauve in their Guide to French Wines. It’s true. A champion of longevity, even when young Talbot is pleasant and rounded, ever distinguished by silky, mild and very civilized tannins. Talbot possesses an extraverted nature. It’s never withdrawn into itself, and has the courtesy of being in a good mood every day. It’s a racy wine, with complex marks of Havana and licorice, classically delicious without ever the slightest hint of austerity. This is one of the best second wines of the Médoc. Connétable saw the light of day in the sixties.
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