CONNÉTABLE TALBOT

2012 du Château Talbot Saint Julien Château Talbot

Grapes Merlot, Cab Sauv, Cab Franc
Colour Red
Origin France, Bordeaux
Sub-district Haut Médoc
Village Saint Julien
ABV 14%

I normally recommend Fiefs de Lagrange as a solid banker of a second wine in Saint Julien, but found that this year it was rather trounced by the supple juicy ripeness of Connétable. This, like the first wine, has good flesh and succulence and comes recommended very highly to those with cellars to put it in. L&S (Apr 2013)


Alternatively, we may well have some bottles in one of our shops - why not give us a call on 0207 244 0522 or send an email to: sales@leaandsandeman.co.uk.

Or, check the RELATED PRODUCTS below for different vintages or wines of a similar style.


A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot, the 2012 Connetable has a lifted, quite vibrant bouquet with succinct marine-like scents. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins on the entry. It has nice weight and composure for a second label with an attractive black pepper tinged finish. This is much better than I was anticipating Rating: 88-90 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2013)

The second wine of Château Talbot isn’t far behind the grand vin in 2012, which is saying something given the challenges of the vintage. It’s similarly sweet and aromatic, with tobacco, cedar wood and green pepper to the fore, plush tannins and lovely balance. Almost drinkable now. Drink: 2018-26. Rating: 93 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Apr 2013)

Good black fruits and nice spicy bouquet, quite fleshy and good weight for a second wine, supple and easy. Drink: 2014 - 2019. Rating: 15.75 Steven Spurrier (Apr 2013)

Château Talbot

St Julien Quatrième cru 1855

John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury was sent by King Henry VI to re-impose some English rule on this troublesome part of his Kingdom, but ended up being killed at the Battle of Castillon in 1453. Quite what connection he had with this particular bit of St Julien is unknown but, at least as far back as the 17th Century, the large estate in the centre of the appellation has been known as Château Talbot and it has generally been held that it was named for said John Talbot.

Désiré Cordier bought Talbot in 1917 and it is still in the hands of the Cordier family.

Sitting right in the middle of St Julien, surrounded by the great names of the appellation, and at 107ha of vineyard, Château Talbot is hard to miss. The vineyards are planted to 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Fermentation takes place in a combination of traditional wooden vats and modern stainless steel, with the Grand Vin spending 14 months in oak (50%-60% new).

There is a second wine named in honour of John Talbot, who's local title was Connétable Talbot.

With such big production and with an easy name to read and remember in the English-speaking market, Château Talbot has a healthy following and reliable reputation. It is a reputation that Talbot, by and large, lives up to with well-flavoured structured wines.

This wine isn't currently part of a mixed case, but you can always browse our full selection of mixed cases here.
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