Talbot

2011

Wine Advocate 90: Talbot’s dense ruby/purple color is followed by an attractive, spicy, earthy St.-Julien displaying hints of tapenade, black cherries and soil undertones in a forward, lush, round, seductive style. This excellent, medium-bodied 2011 should provide delicious drinking for 10-15 years. Talbot appears to have succeeded admirably in this vintage.

James Suckling 92: A juicy young 2011 with chocolate, berry and toasted-oak character. Full and rich. Needs time to soften. This is better than the 2010 Talbot.

Wine Enthusiast 91: With attractive, juicy fruit, this wine has as much freshness as it does structure. The palate is warm and open with blackberry fruits that are rounded and soft. Spice and some tannins show through on the finish.

2020

Wine Advocate 90: The 2020 Talbot exhibits aromas of cassis and plums mingled with hints of clove, violets and toasty new oak. Medium to full-bodied, with a rich core of fruit, powdery tannins and lively acids, it's quite strongly marked by its élevage out of the gates, and it's an open question for me as to whether there's enough depth here to integrate the barrel program and reassert its Saint-Julien identity. On each of the three occasions I tasted it, it left me wanting more.

James Suckling 94: Focused and composed with notes of currants, truffles, dried leaves, dark chocolate and graphite. It’s full-bodied, with firm, fine tannins giving sturdy support throughout. Savory and austere at the moment. Needs some time to open up. Try after 2026.

Vinous 95: The 2020 Talbot is every bit as impressive as it was from barrel. Strong Cabernet Sauvignon inflections open first in the bouquet, leading into a rich palate laced with expressive dark cherry and plum fruit. A Saint-Julien of power and stature, Talbot is fabulous in 2020. I love the breadth and overall intensity here, but there is just as much focus to keep things in balance. The 2020 is superb, certainly the best in recent memory.

Decanter 95: This is a great Talbot, a real success for the château. Subtle and deft touches throughout, from the smoked turmeric notes that lace the black fruits to the finessed aromatics that accompany the body of the wine. Balance and freshness, and a saline edge to the finish that is extremely moreish. Three years with Jean-Michel Laporte as director and he is doing great work.