2005 Chateau Talbot 4eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien

The Château Talbot 2005 has a very austere bouquet with antique bureau/mahogany scents infusing the tertiary black fruit. It opens nicely in the glass – certainly showing more vigour and fruit concentration than 2 or 3 years ago. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin and well judged acidity, but it just lacks a little complexity and concentration on the very austere finish. Classic in style, but it just needs more brio, more presence and authority.

A strong effort for Talbot, the 2005 is more showy and forward than most wines of this vintage. While there is plenty of tannin, it is sweet and well-concealed behind an intriguing bouquet of sweet herbs, licorice, smoked game, black currants, and cherries. This fleshy, medium to full-bodied St.-Julien exhibits a silky sweetness to its texture and tannins. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020+.

Full medium ruby. Very primary nose of cassis, licorice, earth and leather, complicated by an almost exotic note of chocolate. Then suave, broad and dry, with a fine-grained texture and very good palate coverage. Doesn't currently show the lift or intensity of the best Medoc wines of the vintage, but offers a fleshy, solid impression and finishes with fairly sweet tannins for this property.

Dark, narrow rimmed red; ripe, cedary nose with a hint of herbal; nicely balanced, medium full, fresh and finely tannic wine; fresh, easy, flavoury, classic Left Bank cabernet based flavour; of moderate complexity and an attractive fleshy quality; no great class, but a good, solid, satisfying beverage, with a nice length of aftertaste. Now - 25+

The 2005 Talbot is dense ruby/purple, with moderately intense notes of forest floor, underbrush, and black and red currant fruit. It is slightly herbal, medium-bodied, not terribly complex, but has good sweet fruit, and a decent finish. This wine should drink well for another 15 years.

Fragrant and lively with a dry finish. Still some well-judged tannin. (JR)