Château Talbot, 4ème Cru Classé, St Julien,

Vibrant plum colour, warm and welcoming aromatics, cloves and turmeric spice, this stretches out through the palate, showing a luscious, satiny texture that reflects the warmth of the vintage, and the slightly higher alcohols than usual (rare at Talbot, that tends to show lower alcohols than its neighbours, like Lafite in Pauillac). Black chocolate, espresso, fennel, cassis and gunsmoke, generous and a little atypical. Special anniversary bottle to celebrate 100 years under the Bignon-Cordier family. 60% new oak for ageing as of this vintage, and Jean-Michel Laporte's first as director.