1962 Château Talbot
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Tasting notes
The 1962 Talbot comes from a bottle reconditioned in 1995. It was a good vintage that saw some drought, high temperatures in September with a huge hailstorm that targeted Saint-Julien on 3 October. Picking commenced on 9 October and finished on 22 October. This example has a strange bouquet at first with a pickled gherkin-like aroma that soon dissipates, and it rapidly develops an attractive Burgundy-like aromatic profile with cranberry, cedar, Xmas cake and fireside hearth aromas. The palate is well balanced with firm tannins. It is not complex and perhaps that hailstorm took the shine of what could have been an outstanding Talbot. It just lacks a little energy on the finish, rather conservative in style. Then again, there remains freshness and vigour and its length is satisfying. I would be inclined to drink this sooner rather than later. Tasted at the centenary Château Talbot vertical at the property.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
An elegant Talbot, finely etched and reminiscent of the style of the 1971, this medium-bodied, flavorful, fully mature wine is holding up nicely in the bottle. The fragrant, spicy, cedary bouquet is interesting and shows good fruit. Rather reserved on the palate, with polite flavors, some unresolved tannins still present, and above-average length, this is a good, rather than great, Talbot. Anticipated maturity: Now-may be in decline. Last tasted, 2/83.
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.