2020 Château Talbot
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Tasting notes
This is a little closed at first, but then there’s a waft of delicate florals. With air it opens up to offer dainty notes of spice and florals – a perfumed nose with enticingly pure blackcurrant fruit beneath. On the palate this is gorgeous, with layers and layers that roll along the palate and an almost never-ending finish. Bramble fruit comes with an earthy, savoury edge; there’s a touch of leather and spice; but the fruit is pure and concentrated. The tannins are present but not overpowering, mouth-coating with enough structure. Despite the ripeness on show, there’s plenty of refreshing acidity – with a juicy, mouth-watering edge to the dark fruit. Classic and elegant.
Critic scores
James Suckling
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Deep greyish crimson. Lifted with red and black fruits and slightly volatile. Very leafy and a bit toasty. Lighter than some, pretty oaky and a bit dry on the finish even though the tannins are finely textured. Too oaky for me. (JH)
The 2020 Talbot was corked on the first bottle. The second has a refined and focused bouquet, with more black fruit than its peers. Cedar and light minty notes impart a Pauillac-like personality. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, fine delineation, lovely poise and a sorbet-fresh, high-toned finish. This appears to have meliorated since I tasted it just after bottling, hence the higher score. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Coffee bean and smoked tobacco edging as I found with the Connetable 2020, followed up by precision-cut black cherry and cassis fruits. Great balance, gunsmoke and tomato leaf, an excellent follow up to the 2019, reflecting the intense work happening in the vineyard at this point. As you sit with this the generosity of the first moments takes a back seat to the grip and savoury St Julien balance, take you time and enjoy the crayon and slate on the finish. 60% new oak for ageing, Jean-Michel Laporte director.
About the producer
Quality has not necessarily always lived up to this property’s Fourth Growth status, however there have been significant improvements in recent years, with a sustainable focus in the vineyard, and new winery and cellar.