March 3, 2024 - Showed really nicely. Great tertiary and earthy notes and the creaminess of the merlot is evident. Nice
December 24, 2023 - Xmas eve dinner 2023: decanted for approx. 3 hours (cold storage); dark crimson color with slight brown reflections; seductive bouquet of cherries, coffee and dark chocolate; like red berry juice on the palate; round mouthfeel; medium body.
Mature, excellent Talbot 1983 in classic claret style.
May 15, 2023 - Balanced and mature; cedar, silky earthy and lean blackberry with smooth soft finish.
April 15, 2023 - A flight of '66 (dbl mag) '78 (750ml), '83 (dbl mag) and '89 (750ml). A respectable showing for all! All wines double decanted and prepared expertly for service. Short TN. The '83 had a wow nose right out of the gates. Very pure, very aromatic, somewhat floral (violets)… very very good! The palate followed suit - the wine was fresh, deep, lively and very well balanced. VERY clean. This was served out of Dbl. Mag. Very impressive showing! My favorite wine of the flight.
November 13, 2022 - I am finding myself to be more frequently a fan of some of the "lesser" vintages in BDX, such as '88, '78, '83 and even '93 (I guess every five years in this era). This is classic BDX, with a bit of the trademark Cordier funk and a nose that exudes forest floor, tobacco, cassis and leather. Bright and fresh, with pomegranate, red plum and blackberry notes, to go with lots of cedar and cigar box. Better on night two, where it gained additional depth.
October 15, 2022 - Talbot, Gruaud & Lagrange (Piccolino Exchange Square): Definitely the oldest looking of the first flight. On the nose, the most oomph of the flight, and at first a bit of funk - some discussion about brett, and how much is just enough. This one benefited most from the charcuterie - really filled.
October 12, 2022 - Talbot/Gruaud/Lagrange at Piccolino (Piccolino, Exchange Square, London): Medium garnet, wide pale garnet rim. Aromatic, developed nose - leather, tobacco. Medium bodied, leather and cigar-box on the palate, earth, savoury, fresh acidity, falls away a touch on the finish but interesting and still enjoyable.
October 12, 2022 - Talbot / Gruaud Larose / Lagrange Dinner (Piccolino, Exchange Square, London): This is charming but definitely in the fully mature / gracefully fading side. The nose has some red fruits, some ground pepper and a little hay. Palate also in the red fruit compote space. Tannins delightfully resolved and overall texture lovely. As with its flight mates improved with the charcuterie
October 9, 2022 - Popped and poured...on the nose this showed better than the tasting earlier this year - still the tertiary notes (leather, earth, a little meatiness) but the fruit a little darker hued...with time in the glass the red currant shows through with a metallic note as well as baking spices. On the palate it's still quite sharp, a little funky farmyard note joins here as well. wild black and red currant, negligible tannins. Works exceedingly well with lamb neck and pearl barley stew but defo right time to drink this.
July 30, 2022 - A perfect bottle!
Medium garnet. Beautiful nose of cedar, dates, figs, liquorice, leather, tobacco and floral notes. Medium plus acidity, ripe integrated tannins and a lovely long finish. Really god balanced. A great showing from a 39 year old Talbot in difficult vintage.
If you are into mature Bordeaux this wine is in a great spot now. It won't get better from here, but with bottles like this there is really no big rush either.