Château Talbot 2015

Alluring, with plum and fruitcake notes that are lushly textured, picking up mesquite, black tea and melted licorice flavors along the way. Keeps the warm, enveloping feel going through the finish, with the fruit dripping steadily. Best from 2020 through 2038. 34,558 cases made.

The gentle 2015 Talbot shows the charms of claret. Not a powerhouse, it caresses the palate. Its restraint and elegance are the epitome of Talbot. With its mixture of fresh dark fruit accented by a delicate cedar or tobacco-like spice, it’s almost ready. The suave texture of this restrained charmer means that for some, it is ready.

A big, rich wine for Saint-Julien with plenty of power and concentration, which enables it to carry plenty of spicy, toasty oak. The tannins need some time to soften, but the elegant finish suggests that from 2020 this should really impress.

A well-made charmer. The wine opens with a smoke- and espresso-filled nose that adds black cherry, licorice, and cassis as it takes in air. Soft, refined, forward, and open, a few years will add more to the round-textured, polished finish.

Dark ruby, purple reflections, subtle edge brightening, balsamic touch, some tobacco, ripe plum, vegetal nuances. Medium-bodied, leafy texture, vivid, somewhat brittle tannins, greenish notes on the finish, appears rather immature overall.

Medium to deep ruby red colour. Youthful nose, fragrant and floral with some stony notes, graphite, tobacco and wild berries. The palate is medium bodied with dense yet fresh fruit, still a youthful texture, blending red and dark fruit with cassis, sage, tobacco and a long fresh finish. Still a bit young and tight, deserving more cellaring but good cornerstones for long ageing.

Notes of black cherries, underbrush, tobacco, and smoked herbs all emerge from the 2015 Château Talbot, and it’s an old-school, classic, concentrated 2015 that does everything right. With medium-bodied richness, good concentration, and solid overall balance, it’s already approachable, as are most in the vintage, yet will benefit from short-term cellaring and drink well for 10–15 years.

Brightened garnet of medium density, with a fine rim. One of the palest colours among all Saint-Julien. Black-berry fruit, but showing more spice than fruit, with liquorice and tobacco, and unfortunately a few leafy notes as well. On the palate, juicy, elegant and—for the 2015 vintage—rather on the light side, but overall very pleasant. A gastronomic Talbot.

Bright garnet with medium density, fine rim. One of the palest colours of all Saint-Julien. Black-berry fruit, but showing more spice than fruit, licorice, tobacco, and unfortunately also a few leafy notes. On the palate, juicy, elegant and—for the 2015 vintage—rather on the light side. But overall very pleasant. A gastronomic Talbot.

Medium-bodied, herbal bouquet, blueberries, tobacco, cedar. Classic, austere palate with medium fruit, finely sandy tannins, muscular structure, good aromatics, long, dry finish. 17/20 2023 - 2038

High-toned aromatics, with a flash of heat; it takes its time to find its footing on the opening, but the intense clove spice adds focus. Things soften through the mid-palate to show raspberry and black cherry fruits, with grilled herbs and tobacco leaf. Surprisingly fresh acidities for what is known as a hot vintage, though conditions were a little tougher in the northern Médoc than elsewhere. Aged in 50% new oak, Jean-Pierre Marty, director.

Very elegant floral notes on the nose, reminiscent of peony; fairly supple for the vintage, with a velvety texture without any flabbiness, though currently showing a slight lack of energy.

The nose is initially reduced and begins to open up after a few minutes. On the palate, it is generous, ripe and opulent, with notes of dark fruit and tight yet refined tannins.

Dark robe with violet highlights and a very refined nose. The wine is dense and highly elegant, with very fine tannins, great length, and fruit handled with subtlety. The greatest Talbot in recent history, superb.

Purple with garnet highlights. Complex, fruity and spicy bouquet with youthful notes, a lactic touch and black berries. Licorice wood notes. The élevage is also clearly evident but ultimately in harmony with the other elements, and time will contribute to a lovely evolution. Lively, fruit-forward attack. On the palate, the wine is compact, tasty, fruity, with tannins that slowly emerge on the finish. A wine that skilfully reconciles breadth and finesse thanks to perfectly integrated tannins and a vivid structure that provides ideal support. After 2014, Talbot has achieved another great success. Bravo!

Dark color, with normal intensity and slightly evolved. Moderately aromatic nose with ripe fruit. Fruity, tasty, pleasant palate, less defined on the finish.

This wine seems to be all about structure and tannins. The fruit comes through slowly and has a way to go in its development. But black currants are there, ripe and promising well for the future. Just don't drink before 2025.