Connétable de Talbot 2014, Saint-Julien

Winemaker and Vineyard: The Château Talbot can be seen from afar on the plateau of Saint-Julien, amidst an ocean of vines, between the large trees of its park. This vintage carries the name of the Constable Talbot, count of Shrewsbury, a famous English war man and governor of Guyenne, defeated at the battle of Castillon in 1453. In 1855, during the classification of the Médoc and Graves crus commanded by Emperor Napoleon III, Château Talbot was promoted to fourth grand cru classé of Saint-Julien. After being owned by the Marquis d'Aux for decades, the estate was acquired in 1918 by Désiré Cordier. The 110 hectares of Château Talbot's vineyard extend all around the house up to the northern borders of the appellation, at the limit of Pauillac. Planted on a terroir of fine günzian gravel on a base of asteriated limestone, forming draining hillsides, there is a majority of red vines (105 hectares) and a confidential area of white vines (5 hectares). The upkeep of the vineyard is one of the most impeccable in the Médoc. The wines, followed by Nancy Bignon-Cordier with the precious advice of the oenologist Eric Boissenot and the consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt, are generous and of great elegance. Their easy tasting and their silky tannins allow them to be appreciated young as well as after a long cellar ageing. Over time, they develop a delicate and complex aromatic bouquet of cedar and Havana.

Tasting: The Connétable Talbot 2014 has a rather dusty bouquet that feels rustic. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly hard tannin and the finish falls away too quickly. This desperately needs to "fill out" during its oak maturation. robertparker.com (04.30.2015)

Service: Serve at room temperature (16-18°C) to accompany a cherry-roasted deer sirloin.