Château Talbot 2022

Classic Cabernet aromas rise from the glass: black cherries, blackcurrant, subtle smokiness, dark chocolate; a delicate, finely structured palate with precise tannins that wrap around the fruit, which is crisp and perfectly ripe; the wine is balanced, showing energy, finesse, and length. It will age beautifully.

The 2022 Talbot has turned out nicely in bottle, bursting with aromas of cherries, berries, orange zest and petals, framed by a touch of toasty new oak. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and layered, with a rich core of fruit, ripe tannins and a long, cigar-inflected finish, it's a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot that matured in 60% new oak.

This delivers an energetic tumble of blackberry, boysenberry and black currant paste flavors injected with bramble and apple wood and supported by a licorice snap accent. The strapping finish is laced with violet and iris notes, while a cast-iron edge lends bass. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2027 through 2045. 24,000 cases made, 2,400 cases imported.

Glossy and shiny, with lots of energy to the clean red berry fruit and slightly mineral-edged tannins. Easy to enjoy, this is smooth and round. More direct than overly plush or wide, but with great persistence to a long finish. The purity of the fruit and acidity give this strong appeal even at this early stage.

The aromas of blackcurrants and dried flowers with fresh herbs like basil and rosemary are extremely attractive. Medium- to full-bodied, this has firm and velvety tannins with a tension and focus that I have not seen for a while. Long and chewy finish. Solid. Drink after 2028 and beyond.

70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. Cask sample. Dark fruit with a stony, mineral edge. A touch of blackcurrant leaf on the palate. Juicy and fresh with a firm tannic frame. Builds on the finish. Classic St-Julien that should age well. (JL)

The 2022 Talbot was bottled in May. Estate Director Jean-Michel Laporte commented that he sees it as a combination of 2018, 2019 and 2020, though better than those vintages. The 2022 has a tightly knit bouquet, crisp and clean, a little “cooler” in style than I recall—and I mean that in a positive way. It neatly shrugs off the warmth of that growing season. There’s wonderful purity of fruit here, tinged with tobacco and light chimney soot scents. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy black fruit—a quintessential Talbot—with a little more horsepower than recent vintages but fine precision and structure on the finish. I appreciate the finesse of the tannins and the weight throughout this Saint-Julien.

Fresh, lively, long, and aromatic, the palate is elegant and vibrant, delivering its fruit-packed profile with lift, sweetness, length, and complexity with ease. This is the best vintage of Talbot I’ve tasted in ages, and a contender for the best wine produced in the history of the estate. The wine blends 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2028–2055.

Smoky currants, tobacco leaf, leather, and chocolaty notes all define the 2022 Château Talbot, a sensationally textured, concentrated, medium- to full-bodied Saint-Julien. It has plenty of mid-palate depth, ripe, building tannins, beautiful overall balance, and a great finish. Based on 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, raised in 60% new oak, it's one of the all-time greats from this château and will have three decades of longevity.

Chewy but restrained tannins, plenty of depth and character, rose bud and peony alongside raspberry and cassis fruits; this is delicious, a great job from this estate, one to look out for, and one to have plenty of confidence in its ageing ability.

The nose is indulgent and captivating, with toasted and smoky notes. The palate is clear, with a caressing texture, silky, perfectly controlled tannins, and fruit of great finesse that is perfectly ripe.

Very dark color with purple highlights. Highly aromatic nose with ripe fruit, lightly spicy and subtle. Delicate on the attack, flavorful on the mid-palate, with a silky development; the wine unfolds fragrant and long, without emphasizing the tannin. Precise and very enjoyable execution. Normal length. Blend: 70% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot, 5% petit verdot. Alcohol: 13.5% – pH: 3.75. Yield: 40 hl/ha.

93-95 Barrel sample. The wine is rich, finely balanced with layers of black fruits. Underlying tannins promise well. It is already dense, with great acidity and structure to propel the wine forward.