Why it matters
The producer
Cabernet Sauvignon leads Château Talbot's red blend, with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot alongside it. The proportions are 70%, 25%, 3% and 2%, respectively. Château Talbot spends 15 months in French oak barrels, with 60% new oak. New oak adds spice and oxygen exposure during maturation, while barrel ageing softens tannin and broadens texture.
The estate's wines are made to express Saint-Julien through the relationship between grape variety and terroir. Cabernet Sauvignon supplies the largest share of the blend, while the other three varieties complete the red wine's composition.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Saint-Julien is the appellation on Château Talbot's label. The estate presents its wine as a faithful expression of Saint-Julien terroir, keeping grape variety and place together in the bottle.
Wines to know
The range in view
Château Talbot is the named red wine, built as a four grape blend for Saint-Julien. Cabernet Sauvignon leads the composition, with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot completing the wine.
The 2009 vintage is the principal named bottle, combining the estate's appellation, grape varieties and oak raised red style in one wine.