Bordeaux

The 2007 Talbot has a pleasant, classic nose of singed leather and game, a little muffled compared to its peers. But there is a sense of charm that I like, and it speaks of its appellation origin. The palate is medium-bodied with a smooth texture. It lacks depth and grip but is nicely balanced with a cedar-tinged finish.

R.P. 94+ pts.

The 2009 Branaire-Ducru has a medium to deep garnet color and reveals compelling notions of warm cassis, licorice, baked plums and hoisin with hints of sautéed herbs and pencil lead. Youthful and medium to full-bodied, it has a generous core of black fruits with a firm and grainy structure and bags of freshness, finishing long with great purity.

R.P. 89 pts.

The 1999 is an elegant, finesse-styled, medium-bodied effort revealing lovely strawberry and currant fruit with a hint of sour cherries, a judicious touch of oak, medium body, and excellent purity. It creeps up on the taster in subtle increments.

R.P. 89 pts.

Dense ruby/purple-colored, with copious quantities of black raspberry and cherry fruit intermixed with spicy oak, this deep, rich, medium to full-bodied 1997 possesses sweet tannin, low acidity, excellent length, and admirable concentration.

R.P. 91 pts.

Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Talbot opens with maturing scents of fruitcake, Chinese five spice and cigar box plus hints of dried mint, pencil lead and chargrill. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is pleasantly spicy, with a light grip of chewy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing savory.

R.P. 94 pts.

It boasts abundant notes of cedarwood, creme de cassis, licorice and a hint of lead pencil shavings. Full-bodied, rich, dense and fully mature.