2019 Château Talbot

The 2019 Château Talbot is a compelling Saint‑Julien that demonstrates both finesse and drive — it’s one of those Left Bank wines that balances classic structure with a more modern polish. On the nose, it offers a refined bouquet of cassis and blackberry, with striking notes of tobacco leaf, graphite, and pencil shavings that are very Saint-Julien in character. 

On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied. The texture is creamy and smooth, carried by fine-grained tannins and a balanced acidity that gives energy without overwhelming the fruit.  Flavors of black fruit—especially blackcurrant and plum—are joined by earthy undertones, scorched earth, smoked tobacco, and a persistent graphite/mineral streak that carries through to a long, focused finish with a firm grip. 

Critics have given the 2019 Talbot high marks, underlining both its quality and aging potential:

• James Suckling: 95 points, noting the wine’s ripe redcurrants, plums, floral lift, and firm, polished tannins.  
• Wine Spectator: 95, calling it well-built with red and black currant paste, plum reduction, and savory notes of tobacco and singed cedar; they believe it’s “built to cellar.”  
• Wine Enthusiast: 96, praising its density, rich structure, and generous tannins that promise strong aging.  
• Vinous (Neal Martin): 93–95, highlighting the bouquet’s purity, the fine texture, and the lingering grip of pencil-lead minerality on the finish.  
• Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: 93, describing “earthy cassis, plums, burning embers and pencil shavings” on the nose, with supple yet structured tannins and a savory, driven finish.  
• Falstaff: 93, calling out juicy fruit, elegant tannins, fresh acidity, and a long, chocolaty finish with a touch of nougat.  

Overall, the 2019 Château Talbot is a serious, refined Saint-Julien that offers both early appeal and long-term potential. It’s structured enough to reward cellaring through the 2020s, yet accessible enough to enjoy with some bottle age now.

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