2023 Château Talbot En Primeur
"...a superb showing from Talbot ...93-95 points." Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Apr '24
"More proof that Talbot is on a roll, revved up and ready to take off...a brilliantly juicy but understated Talbot...classically-minded...94 points." Jane Anson, May '24
The early releases from Bordeaux continue this morning with 2023 Château Talbot, offered at a reduction of 25% on the previous vintage, at just £231 per six bottles, with scores the same as or exceeding the 2022.
Talbot has a rich history, the estate having been owned in the 1400s by John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, who makes an appearance in Shakespeare's Henry VI and was the 'Connetable' (or 'Constable') of France. These connections and its classical style have made Talbot much-loved in the English market for generations.
In recent years, the quality of the wine has turned an exciting corner, with the appointment of Michel Laporte as Technical Director. Laporte has an impressive CV. After training with Jean-Claude Berrouet at JP Moueix, he spent almost 14 years at La Conseillante. The results of his labours and a complete cellar renovation in 2016 are now obvious.
We loved the dark fruit core of the '23, giving the wine a lovely mid-palate, even though the wine retains the understated style of a New & Lingwood shirt. At a little over £49 per bottle with all taxes, releases like this are bringing some of the great Bordeaux names back within reach of regular drinking, so do take advantage of this latest offer.
Offered en primeur, on allocation. Landing spring 2026.
Magnums available with £20 ex-VAT bottling surcharge per six. Please enquire for other formats.
All previous offers of 2023 Bordeaux can be found here.
Producer Profile
Château Talbot, St.-Julien Cru Classé
Château Talbot is a Quatrièmes Cru Classé in Saint-Julien. The name originates from the former owner of the land, Connétable Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, a famous English military commander, who was defeated at the Battle of Castillon in 1453. The vineyard extends to 102 hectares in the heart of Saint-Julien.
The estate, along with Château Senejac and Domaine Saint Andrieu in Provence, is owned by Nancy Bignon-Cordier and her family. Often described with terms like 'faithful' and 'reliable', Talbot now has a new injection of dynamism from the appointment last years of Jean-Michel Laporte.
After training with Jean-Claude Berrouet at JP Moueix, Laporte spent almost 14 years at La Conseillante and so his appointment suggests serious intent to improve quality here even further.
| RED | 2023 | Château Talbot | 75cl | £462 per case of 12 | Château Talbot 2023 / / 75cl £462 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2023 Talbot contains the highest proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon to date, at 77%. It was picked from September 13 to October 6 at 54hL/ha according to winemaker Jean-Michel Laporte. Matured in 60% new oak, this has a fragrant bouquet that, like one or two fellow Saint-Julien wines, discretely unfolds in the glass. Quite precise with blackberry, cedar and light pencil box scents, there is a Pauillac-like tincture here. The palate is medium-bodied with finely chiseled, grainy tannins. It’s overtly classic in style, albeit with more mid-weight depth compared to some vintages of Talbot. Displaying fine cohesion and sapidity, this fans out on the finish, with a deft touch of white pepper livening things up. This is a very promising Talbot, and I may actually prefer it to the previous vintage. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Offering up aromas of dark berries, baking chocolate, plums, espresso roast and crushed mint, the 2023 Talbot is medium to full-bodied, deep and fleshy, with a rich but lively core of fruit, powdery tannins and a long, penetrating finish. Harvested over the course of fully four weeks, it's a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot that attained 13% alcohol. 92-94 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"A medium- to full-bodied red with very fine tannins. It’s firm and structured, showing a bright, dark-fruited character. Focused, with a good center-palate and a lingering finish. Really polished. 94-95 points" jamessuckling.com |
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