1998 Château Talbot
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Tasting notes
The 1998 Talbot remains youthful in appearance. Certainly the bouquet has remained vigorous and with commendable fruit concentration over 20-years, replete with red cherries, cranberry and blackcurrant scents, cedar and hints of blue fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin, a judicious line of acidity, harmonious and linear but with satisfying depth. There are subtle allspice and white pepper notes here, smooth towards the finish that does not outstay its welcome. This Talbot has aged very well and comes recommended. Tasted at the château.
Critic scores
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Readers should be aware that this is a wine I underrated in my original report on the 1998 vintage. It is performing better out of bottle than it did from cask. With age, the mid-section has filled out and the wine has put on weight. A deep plum/garnet color is accompanied by an up-front, seductive nose of melted licorice, cedar, plums, black cherries, and cassis. This attractive Talbot is nicely-textured and medium to full-bodied, with sweet tannin. It is pleasing to see how this wine has matured. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2016.
Aromas of coffee, plum and blackberry follow through to a full body, with soft and round tannins and tar, berry and roasted coffee bean undertones.¿'88/'98 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2008). Drink now. 25,000 cases made. James Suckling, Wine Spectator 2009
Readers should be aware that this is a wine I underrated in my original report on the 1998 vintage. It is performing better out of bottle than it did from cask. With age, the mid-section has filled out and the wine has put on weight. A deep plum/garnet color is accompanied by an up-front, seductive nose of melted licorice, cedar, plums, black cherries, and cassis. This attractive Talbot is nicely-textured and medium to full-bodied, with sweet tannin. It is pleasing to see how this wine has matured. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2016. Apr 2001, www.robertparker.com
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.