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.

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.

Tasted blind. Dark, quite lustrous purplish crimson. Seems as though there is lots buried in there. Fresh fruit and ‘stony’ – sort of St-Estèphe-like. Very correct even if not for the very long term. Good balance. (JR)

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.

Deep, intense colour with slight development. Very aromatic nose with ripe, sun-kissed fruit. A precise, fragrant palate, but light, which could be more structured. It was, in fact, more so when tasted En Primeur. Read the note again.

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.

This grand vin from Jean-Michel Laporte is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon with 25% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. It has a nose which is dense, dark, smoky and brooding, laden with dark chocolate, dried red fruits, toast, crushed chalk and tobacco – I cannot remember the last time I encountered a Talbot so seductive and yet also so dark and brooding. The palate follows on in the same character, all dense, dark and energetic, with masses of tannic structure but in a polished, complete and coherent style, wrapping themselves around the palate but never dominating. A huge success for Talbot here, a wine dense with tannin and potential, and this is quite possibly set to be one of the greatest ever vintages from this property. Come back in ten or twenty years to find out. Chapeau! Tasted twice. The alcohol on the label is 13.5%.

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.