Château Talbot Château Talbot Saint-Julien 2022 750ml

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.

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.

Well-built and rather refined for the vintage, with a deep well of red and black currant paste and plum reduction flavors supported by a deeply inlaid iron note, all of which run the length of the wine. Offers subtle savory, tobacco and singed cedar notes that add range, with a savory echo that leaves a mouthwatering feel in the end. Built to cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2025 through 2040. 23,333 cases made, 1,167 cases imported. (James Molesworth)

Ripe redcurrants and plums with violet and other flowers on the nose. Full-bodied with firm, polished tannins that are ripe yet firm. Pure fruit here. Pretty center-palate. Chewy finish. Give this at least five or six years to come around. Best after 2026.

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.

The 2019 Talbot was one of the best recent vintages that I had tasted when a sample was sent to me last year, in no small part thanks to the appointment of Jean-Michel Laporte. The 2019 has a large proportion (69%) of Cabernet Sauvignon, higher than previous vintages. Bottled in May 2021, it retains that delineated, focused bouquet of blackberry scents and touches of pencil lead, hints of raspberry and cedar. Just classic Saint-Julien. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins and a superb line of acidity. Much more cohesive with more substance than prior vintages. There is a touch of spiciness toward the lingering finish, which reveals tobacco and gravel-like notes. Talbot made a great wine in 2019 and it will age with style. 14.1% alcohol (Neal Martin)

Barrel Sample. A rich, spicy and smoky wine, this has generous tannins to balance the blackberry fruit flavors. The structure is already impressive, showing ripeness as well as density, which is promising for plenty of aging.

Readers will love the 2022 Château Talbot, one of the finest vintages from this château that I can recall. Possessing a gorgeous nose of pure cassis, blackberries, tobacco, and iron, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a pure, layered, elegant mouthfeel, and perfectly integrated tannins. A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot that’s resting in 60% new French oak, this utterly classic, pure, lengthy Saint-Julien will benefit from just a few years of bottle age and have a broad drink window. Bravo.

The 2019 Château Talbot is straight-up impressive, sporting a dense purple hue as well as a powerful nose of cassis, scorched earth, smoked tobacco, and spicy wood. Rich, black-fruited, medium to full-bodied, and structured, it’s a rock-solid, balanced Saint-Julien that will benefit from 4–5 years of bottle age and age for 15–20 years.

The 2019 Talbot is performing well, opening in the glass with aromas of earthy cassis, plums, burning embers and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and succulent, with powdery tannins, lively acids and a savory finish, it’s Jean-Michel Laporte’s second vintage at this sleeping giant of Saint-Julien. This will be an estate to watch closely going forward.

The 2022 Talbot is another impressive effort from the château. Savory and nuanced, the 2022 its wonderfully energetic in the glass. Dried herbs, incense, tobacco, menthol and licorice all build in a potent, virile Saint-Julien that checks all the right boxes.