"So much sweet tobacco and currant on the nose here, following through to a full body with relatively soft tannins for the appellation. Berry and dark-chocolate character to this. Round tannins. Needs three or four years to soften. Second wine of Talbot. Try after 2024." -James Suckling
St. Julien wines are for those wanting subtlety, balance and consistency in their Bordeaux. Rewarding and persistent, the best among these Bordeaux Blends are full of blueberry, blackberry, cassis, plum, tobacco and licorice. They are intense and complex and finish with fine, velvety tannins.
Connétable Talbot is the second label from Château Talbot, the 4th Growth estate in Saint-Julien. The Château was created in the mid-15th century by Constable (Connétable in French) John Talbot, who was the Count of Shrewsbury in England as well as Governor of Aquitaine in France. In 1917, the Cordier family purchased the Château, and it is still in the family’s hands today. Recently, the Cordiers completely overhauled all aspects of winemaking to improve the estate’s quality. I would say it is a resounding success.
The wine, grown on the Château’s young vines, is characterized by the same care and vigorous selection as its big brother. The Connétable pours a beautiful garnet color with ripe blackberry and black currant fruit flavors mixed with anise and spice. It is elegant, silky-smooth and incredibly seductive with a firm acidity, soft, structured tannins and a savory, saline mineral quality. This wine is wonderfully accessible now with 20-30 minutes aeration, and it is a perfect candidate for cellaring, as it will age beautifully over the next 15+ years.
