Chateau Talbot Saint-Julien 4. Cru Classé 2020 i trækasse

Tastingbook.com

Bettane & Desseauve

WinesCritic.com

Incredibly well researched in the sensory profile showing notes of black tea leaves, black prunes, sandalwood, juniper berries, black pepper and coriander. In the background the essence of Saint Julien comes through with hints of sage and marjoram giving it a Mediterranean authenticity. Full bodied, biting tannins of optimum craftsmanship and a solid, tense finale which shows what the Bordeaux 2020 is made of.

Vert de Vin Magazine

The wine has a deep ruby color. The nose is a little reserved, delicate, but offers beautiful complexity, freshness and concentration. It expresses notes of fresh black fruits (wild blackberry, blackcurrant, crushed blueberry), ripe and sweet red fruits (wild strawberry, raspberry coulis), associated with fresh herbaceous notes of wild mint, roasted rosemary, hints of tasty spices (licorice, cloves, vanilla) as well as a fine hint of torrefaction (caramel, toasted, caramelized hazelnut). There is also a touch of crème de cassis and chocolate mint in the base, combined with a scent of wild rose and violet. The palate is concentrated, but silky and round. It offers juicy and ripe fruity flavors, slightly sweet, but fresh (wild strawberry, fresh morello cherry, red cherry juice, raspberry coulis, fresh blackcurrant, blueberry), associated with a delicate and integrated spiciness (vanilla, cloves of clove, licorice), a hint of dark chocolate, bitter cocoa and coffee, which brings a pleasant bitterness and notes of herbs and flowers (dried mint, rose petals, violet) The tannins have a fine and silky, as well as good hold and a firm structure. The finish is long, complex, juicy and fresh thanks to a nice acidity. Depth and very good aging potential.

Bettane et Desseauve

Bernard Burtschy

Wine Spectator

Exuberant, with generous plum sauce, licorice root, blackberry compote and apple wood notes vying for attention, as graphite and cast iron accents drive along underneath. Reveals a little flash of exotic toast that snazzes up the finish.

Antonio Galloni

The 2020 Talbot is every bit as impressive as it was from barrel. Strong Cabernet Sauvignon inflections open first in the bouquet, leading into a rich palate laced with expressive dark cherry and plum fruit. A Saint-Julien of power and stature, Talbot is fabulous in 2020. I love the breadth and overall intensity here, but there is just as much focus to keep things in balance. The 2020 is superb, certainly the best in recent memory.

Decanter

This is a great Talbot, a real success for the château. Subtle and deft touches throughout, from the smoked turmeric notes that lace the black fruits to the finessed aromatics that accompany the body of the wine. Balance and freshness, and a saline edge to the finish that is extremely moreish. Three years with Jean-Michel Laporte as director and he is doing great work.

Wine Enthusiast

Spicy, structured and dense, this is a complex, smoky and powerful wine. With polished fruit and structure, it comes from an increasingly impressive estate.

Falstaff

Dark ruby garnet, purple reflections, opaque core, delicate rim brightening. Fine toasted caramel, black cherries, blackberry confit, a hint of nougat, attractive bouquet. Substantial, blackberry confit, fresh acid arc, ripe, supporting tannins, mineral, elegant and clinging, shows length and has certain ageing potential.

La Revue du Vin de France

The wine is well-built, with lots of depth, but we can perceive a little woodiness at this stage. Nothing dramatic, it will however fall into place and harmonize. His potential is obvious and his righteousness is admirable.»

Le Figaro Vin

Markus del Monego MW

James Suckling

Focused and composed with notes of currants, truffles, dried leaves, dark chocolate and graphite. It’s full-bodied, with firm, fine tannins giving sturdy support throughout. Savory and austere at the moment. Needs some time to open up.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

Smooth textured cassis and blueberry fruit, cocoa bean, espresso, turmeric and rosemary spice giving definition, along with an appealingingly bitter amaretto biscuits edge on the close of play. This is layered and nuanced, with St Julien character. 105ha estate, Stéphane Derenoncourt consultant. Jean-Michel Laporte has been in charge for the past three years, and is overseeing a sustained rise in quality.

Jeb Dunnuck

Another gorgeous 2020, the 2020 Château Talbot has an almost Pauillac-like sense of graphite and lead pencil as well as ripe blackcurrant fruit, medium to full body, and abundant notes of smoked tobacco, leather, and dried herbs. It shows the more focused, almost austere, yet still ripe style of the vintage and has terrific mid-palate depth, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish. There's an almost old school Bordeaux-like vibe in this beauty, but it's not rustic in any way, the balance is spot on, and it has loads of character. I'd be thrilled with bottles in the cellar. It's going to evolve nicely for two decades or more.