Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Top Scores

Some of us never get tired of a nice Bordeaux wine. Others have their own "wine epiphany" with a Bordeaux, given their blends of classic varietals. And sometimes, a Bordeaux wine just awaits your discovery. That's what we have today, with Chateau Talbot.

Médoc Grand Cru Classé, Château Talbot comprises 107 hectares of vineyard cultivated in the heart of the Saint-Julien commune, an outstanding appellation, as it counts no fewer than 11 classified growths.

Ideally situated on the banks of the estuary of the Gironde on hilltops of alluvial gravel carried by the Dordogne River from the Massif Central and from the Pyrénées by the Garonne, Château Talbot’s terroir is exceptional.

The reds are dominated by the Cabernet Sauvignon variety (66% of the cultivated surface), the variety of choice in the Médoc, particularly in Saint Julien. This variety provides tannic structure and power. With 26% Merlot, the wines become rounder and more suave. Receptive to maturity, this variety brings more mellowness to the blending.

To improve this alchemy of varieties and terroirs, the Petit Verdot provides a delicate touch, like spices in fine cuisine. A difficult variety to tame, it can prove an asset in outstanding vintage years. It is particularly pampered at Talbot, as Nancy Bignon-Cordier has a weakness for this enfant terrible.
Everyone knew that 2009 was a vintage for the ages in Bordeaux. Château Talbot continued the superlatives with this 2010 vintage.

94 points from Wine Advocate: "One of the best Talbots over recent years, and possibly the best since the 1986 and 1982, this sexy juggernaut of a wine struts forth with an opaque plum/ruby/purple color and terrific notes of creme de cassis, licorice, roasted herbs and smoky barbecue. It is a brilliant effort, with full body, wonderful fruit, a savory, expansive mouthfeel, sensational texture and a long finish, but no hardness or astringency. This is a fabulous Talbot to drink over the next 20-25 years."

91 points from Wine Spectator. "This features a fairly plump core of crushed plum, blackberry and mulled boysenberry notes, coated with tar and driven by a strong graphite accent. An echo of pastis lingers on the finish, displaying good latent grip. Best from 2015 through 2027."

Available in limited quantities for the Bottle Club® price of $67.99.




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