Connétable Talbot 2020

A forward-styled offering, showing a mix of singed vanilla, savory and steeped plum notes, with a streak of iron and a lingering licorice accent. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2030. 14,000 cases made, 500 cases imported.

Darkly seductive nose. Clean and crisp, a lovely sapidity to this. Refreshing, with a clear, salty, cool and crisp frame. It’s still quite narrow and focused, not deviating from the core, but is very well presented. Stylish, textured and weighty, just a tiny bit tight on the mid-palate, but with juicy blackcurrant, plum and cherry fragranced fruit. Not hugely expressive at this point, but there is a clean precision to the elements with shots of liquorice, clove and cedar that mark the finish.

This has aromas of currants, blackberries, licorice, pine needles and peppercorns. It’s medium-bodied with refined, tightly knit tannins. Elegant and poised, with a fine finish. Second wine of Talbot. Drink from 2025.

The 2020 Connétable Talbot is matured in 15% new oak. It has a fresh blackberry and briary-scented nose, with tobacco notes emerging over time. The palate is fresh and energetic, with quite chiseled tannins, a slightly chalky texture, and a graphite-tinged finish. This punches above my expectations and is well worth seeking out.

Floral in nature, with the addition of chalky red currants and cherries on the nose, this medium-bodied, fresh, vibrant, silky charmer delights. It has really blossomed during barrel aging. Drink from 2023–2035.

Ripe red fruit, bay leaf and aniseed aromas. A medium-bodied palate, yet with good density and structure, a tannic backbone, spicy liquorice/aniseed notes with sweet fruit and rather good length.

Darker fruits on the nose than the 2019, clear coffee bean here, with blond tobacco, bilberry, cassis and slate, great Médoc character and well-defined tannins. No new oak for ageing.

The 2020 Connetable Talbot is deep garnet-purple in color. It is a little closed to begin, soon offering scents of plum preserves, warm cassis, and dried herbs, plus wafts of tar and unsmoked cigars. The medium-bodied palate has a racy line and firm, chewy tannins to support the subtle black fruits, finishing on an herbal note.

A fresh, energetic, welcoming nose. More serious on the palate, with substance and generous fruit. A mocha-driven finish.

What a level for Talbot’s second wine! Admittedly, it shows clear signs of its élevage through roasted notes, but the bouquet also reveals nuances of black berries. As the minutes pass, the fruity notes clearly take the lead and this continues through to the finish. A structured, inviting and elegant wine! Not bad at all 😉

Dark color of moderate intensity. Moderately intense nose, very fruity, pure and vanilla-tinged. Lovely palate with pure, even vibrant fruit, complemented by a creamy touch and lots of flavor. Finish without any tannic edge. This is new. Surprisingly lively wine. A success.