2024 Château Talbot 4. Cru Classé

James Suckling - 93-94

Focused, dense and creamy with berries and chocolate on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with fine tannins. Chalky, with crunchy berries and a flavorful finish.

Vinous - 90-92

The 2024 Talbot was picked between September 18 and October 7 at a respectable 39 hl/ha for the vintage. It will be matured in 70% new oak from 12 cooperages with various toastings. The wine has a light bouquet at first that upholds the Talbot style, mainly featuring red berry fruit intermixed with mocha and light cedar scents. It shows fine delineation but is certainly not a powerful wine. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins. I like the brightness and vivacity of this Saint-Julien. It's cohesive with a discrete, peppery finish that gently fans out. Worth seeking out, though it would need more grip and substance to merit a more generous score.

Deca - 92

Bright and alive in the mouth, juicy, succulent and ripe with cool blue fruit elements too. Cherry and strawberries mix with chalky, wet stones. Round and forward, this has a sense of fun and persistence. Feels well worked with enough ripeness and balancing tannins. Great stuff here. Chewy, concentrated and just fun. Good first and second wine here in 2024.