CONNÉTABLE TALBOT
2017 Saint Julien Château Talbot
There was some frost here in 2017, which generally affected plots normally destined for the deuxième vin. A great deal of effort has clearly gone into selection as the Château have produced a very jolly 2017 Connétable. It perhaps lacks a little depth and presence on the mid-palate but it is full of fresh, inviting black fruit and caressing tannin. This will be ready to drink soon but I suspect won't be the longest lived example of this wine. Drinking range: 2022 - 2030 Rating: 88-89 L&S (May 2018)
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The 2017 Connétable Talbot, which is aged in 15% new oak, offers light blackcurrant and raspberry aromas on the nose, and just a touch of cedar coming through with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, moderate depth, a little savoury in style with a touch of white pepper towards the finish. Drinking range: 2020 - 2030 Rating: 85-87 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2018)
Talbot did not escape the frost in 2017, which affected almost all the vines that go into this second wine - the large majority of which were not used at all this year. They have clearly worked very hard to get the emphasis onto soft tannins and rich fruits, and this is unfussy and good quality but a little careful and underwhelming compared to recent vintages. Enjoy over the next four to 10 years. Drinking range: 2022 - 2030 Rating: 87 Jane Anson, Decanter (Apr 2018)
Château Talbot
St Julien Quatrième cru 1855
John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury was sent by King Henry VI to re-impose some English rule on this troublesome part of his Kingdom, but ended up being killed at the Battle of Castillon in 1453. Quite what connection he had with this particular bit of St Julien is unknown but, at least as far back as the 17th Century, the large estate in the centre of the appellation has been known as Château Talbot and it has generally been held that it was named for said John Talbot.
Désiré Cordier bought Talbot in 1917 and it is still in the hands of the Cordier family.
Sitting right in the middle of St Julien, surrounded by the great names of the appellation, and at 107ha of vineyard, Château Talbot is hard to miss. The vineyards are planted to 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Fermentation takes place in a combination of traditional wooden vats and modern stainless steel, with the Grand Vin spending 14 months in oak (50%-60% new).
There is a second wine named in honour of John Talbot, who's local title was Connétable Talbot.
With such big production and with an easy name to read and remember in the English-speaking market, Château Talbot has a healthy following and reliable reputation. It is a reputation that Talbot, by and large, lives up to with well-flavoured structured wines.