Get to know:Chateau Talbot, St Julien 1996

Tasting Note

A gorgeous example of mature Saint-Julien, this wine opens with inviting aromas of black truffle, roasted herbs, tobacco, and a touch of old leather. On the palate, its polished but full of character smoky blackberries, savoury spice, black olive, and a hint of pepper running through. The tannins have mellowed into a lovely, supple grip, making every sip feel proper luxurious without being heavy. The aciditys still fresh, keeping everything bright and lively.

Top food pairings:

• Slow-cooked mushroom bourguignon
• Roast lamb with rosemary and garlic
• Cheese such as aged Comt or a mature farmhouse Cheddar.

Serving tip: Decant gently to separate from any sediment, and serve just under room temperature for peak enjoyment.

Kate Says

“This is a wine to bring out for truly special moments. Elegantly savoury and full of evolving complexity, it captures the classic charm of mature Bordeaux. Allow it time to settle before opening, and decant gently to appreciate its finest nuances.”

Producer Info

Chteau Talbot is one of Saint-Juliens great names, with roots going all the way back to the 15th century, when it was owned by Sir John Talbot (he fought in the Hundred Years War, so proper history here). Its been in the Cordier family since 1917, now looked after by Lorraine Rustmann and Nancy Bignon-Cordier the fourth generation.

The 1996 vintage was made from hand-picked Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and a touch of Petit Verdot, grown on Talbots classic gravelly soils that give the wine its hallmark elegance and backbone. Each plot was fermented separately in a mix of wooden and stainless-steel vats to capture the detail of the vintage. After that, the wine spent around 16 months maturing in oak barrels, soaking up just the right amount of spice and rounding out its edges.

Thanks to their gentle approach and top-class terroir, the 1996 has aged beautifully: still lively but full of those deep, savoury, complex flavours that only time can create. Talbot is also big on looking after the land theyve achieved High Environmental Value (HVE) Level 3 certification so you can sip knowing theyre farming with future generations in mind.