The 4th Grand Cru Classé of Saint-Julien (Médoc), Château Talbot’s vineyards extend over 110 hectares in a single block, within the outstanding Saint-Julien appellation.
Ideally situated on the banks of the Gironde estuary on hilltops of alluvial gravel carried by the Dordogne River from the Massif Central and from the Pyrenees by the Garonne, Château Talbot’s terroir is exceptional.
From the plateau of Saint-Julien, one can spot Château Talbot in the distance in the midst of an ocean of vines, parks and tall trees.
The estate has a rich history. Its name originates with Connétable Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, governor of Guyenne as well as being a famous English military commander, who was defeated at the battle of Castillon in 1453.
From 1918 to the present day
At the dawn of the 20th century, Désiré Cordier confided in the pages of one of his notebooks, probably the most precious advice a man in love with the land and the vine can give to his children and future generations:
“As a simple wine grower who is passionately attached to his vines, it pleases me to convey the efforts undergone to obtain these essentially natural and famous wines, whose perfection and health benefits are a subject of legitimate pride to all of us. It is a well-known fact: to be and to remain the owner of a well-respected vineyard, one must be endowed with a real aristocracy that identifies itself with the vineyard and the wine. Everything must be sacrificed for this, beginning with private interests (…). To be a grand cru owner, you must in some way be in love with it.”
His son Georges and then his grandson, Jean, succeeded him as the head of the estate. Under their guidance, Talbot became one of the most famous growths in the Bordeaux region.
Following the death of Jean Cordier, his daughters Lorraine and Nancy, took over the reins of Talbot. Enriched with the still vivid memory of knowledge and experience of past generations which preceded them, Lorraine and Nancy worked together to do justice to this Grand Cru with all the talent and respect that it deserved.
Today Nancy Bignon Cordier, her husband Jean-Paul, their children Philippine, Marguerite and Gustave Bignon pursue the story of Talbot; a long history which has always united with passion the destiny of a family to that of a vineyard.
Terroir and vineyard
Planted on a terroir of fine Günzian gravel on a clay base, forming draining hilltops, we find a majority of red vines (105 hectares) and a confidential area of white vines (5 hectares).
The wines, overseen by Nancy Bignon-Cordier with the valuable advice of oenologist Eric Boissenot, are generous and very elegant. Their velvety texture and silky tannins allow them to be appreciated young as well as after a long cellaring.
In red, Cabernet Sauvignon dominates, accounting for 70% of the area planted. It provides tannic structure and power. With 26% Merlot, the wines acquire roundness and smoothness.
To perfect this alchemy of grape varieties and terroirs, Petit Verdot (4%) comes in touches, like spices in cooking. He is particularly pampered at Talbot where Nancy Bignon-Cordier has a weakness for this enfant terrible.
In white, the grape variety is made up of 80% Sauvignon which brings freshness and aromatic complexity, and 20% Sémillon for its richness and length.
The cellar
This monumental cellar can accommodate 1,800 barrels, where the wines are matured for 16 months at a temperature of 17°C. The choice of coopers, the duration of aging and the rhythm of racking vary depending on the style and evolution of the different batches.
Source: Château Talbot website
Château Talbot
France
Bordeaux
2016
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot
Medoc’s gravelly soil. Age of vines: 51 years.
Vinification in oak barrels.
15 months in oak barrels (50% new).
75cl
13,50%
16ºC - 18ºC
