Château Talbot 2017

Juicy and crisp, with compact tannins and a long, fresh, fruity finish: impeccably crafted.

The 2017 Talbot is medium to deep garnet-purple in color with aromas of cedar, black cherries, mulberries and warm blackcurrants with touches of earth, tree bark and herbs. The palate is medium-bodied, firm, grainy and muscular with an earthy finish.

Juicy and youthfully compact, with bramble-edged cassis, plum and blackberry flavors, lined with licorice snap and tar details. The grippy back end shows good energy, with latent acidity adding length. A buried bolt of iron adds range. Rock-solid. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2022 through 2038. 25,000 cases made.

Complex aromas of intense blackcurrant, dark cherries, plums, with hints of chocolate, violet and leafy notes. Generous and appealing, showing tension and precision with slightly grippy tannins.

Impressive depth of fruit and structure to this 2017 with currant, plum and light chocolate character, medium to full body and round, lightly chewy tannins. Flavorful and long. Dialed-in quality here. Drink after 2022.

Jean-Michel Laporte (ex Conseillante) has been director at Talbot since spring 2018. Deep crimson. Fragrant, with both berry and cassis leaf. Chalky texture but still fresh, with just enough fruit to give a lively finish. Could do with a little more flesh in the middle, but it is nicely scented. (JH)

Medium-bodied, with a core of floral, tobacco, red cherry and crunchy fruit; those characters, along with toasty oak, shine through from start to the bright finish. Classic in style, give this some time in the cellar before pulling a cork.

Deep dark ruby garnet, purple reflections, delicate edge brightening, black berry fruit with herbs and spices, some nougat, tobacco nuances. Firm, red cherries, vivid tannins, mineral-salty aftertaste, delicate nougat on the finish, versatile.

Ripe blackcurrants, chocolate, tobacco, and a touch of damp earth all emerge from the 2017 Chateau Talbot, and it's a medium-bodied, balanced, nicely textured 2017 that's well worth drinking. With well-integrated oak, solid mid-palate depth, and a clean, classy style, it should evolve for 10-12 years, easily. The 2017 is 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, brought up in 50% new French oak.

Kunz barrel sample 18: classic, austere bouquet, blackberries, cherries, tobacco, subtle liquorice. Powerful, velvety palate with delicate fruit, good tannins, finely muscular structure, dark, intense aromatics, long, aromatic finish. Can still improve.

Spicy, closed, austere bouquet, blueberries, blackberries, wood, smoke. Medium-bodied, classic palate with finely sandy tannins, dark aromatics, muscular structure, plenty of good tannins, austere finish. 17/20 2024 - 2040

Yet more proof of how good 2017 is right now. Cloves, liquorice root, juicy blueberry and salivating, savoury cassis-strewn Cabernet Sauvignon, edge of bitter fennel and smoked almond on the finish, this is great stuff. No need to wait although you absolutely can hold on and get a softer, more finessed experience in a couple of years. 50% new oak for ageing, Jean-Pierre Marty director.

Great precision in its aromatic expression without the pronounced leather notes of yesteryear, beautiful texture, a complete and refined ensemble. Clearly, Talbot is in excellent form.

The 2017 is very well put together, both dense and powerful yet restrained. Straight and pure, it’s a very fine, racy Talbot that will go far.

Broad wine with a saline touch, fresh and juicy, with round tannins; elegant and balanced.

I’ve read so many absurd things about 2017 that it actually motivates me to explain how brilliant this vintage can be… where there was no frost. And who today cares that there was frost in Bordeaux in 1961? No one, because what we all care about is good wine… exactly! Like this 2017, for example, which stands out for its freshness and intense fruit. The tannins are perfectly integrated, the structure has your back, and the aromatic expression on the finish lingers convincingly. A delicious wine you absolutely must discover!

Deeply colored wine with a fruity nose; the palate is pleasant and fruity, with a supple body. Soft, medium-length finish.