The name Chateau Talbot evokes a poignant moment in Bordeaux history. In the 15th century, the estate was the property of one John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury and Governor of Acquitaine. He led the English charge at the 1453 Battle of Castillon, in what would prove to be the final engagement of the Hundred Years’ War. The charge failed, and Talbot was finished off by a French soldier with a battleaxe. After 340 years of English rule, Bordeaux was back in the hands of the French, there to remain. But the French seemed to grudgingly admire him, and Chateau Talbot retains his name to this day.

With 107 hectares of vineyard, Talbot is comfortably the largest estate in St-Julien, and one of the largest classed growths in Bordeaux. In 1855, it was classed as a Fourth Growth. In 1917, it was acquired by the Cordier family (who have been hugely important on the negociant scene) with fourth-generation Nancy Cordier-Bignon at the helm today.

The vineyards are set back from the Gironde on one of the highest gravel hills in the area, at a mighty 23 metres – about as high as it gets in the Medoc. It’s a cool spot, that can be vulnerable to frost, but the vines benefit from excellent aereation. Red plantings are 67% Cabernet Sauvignon/27% Merlot/4.5% Petit Verdot/1.5% Cabernet Franc. Talbot was one of the first chateaux ever to set aside specific plots for a white wine, in the 1930s, and those plots are 75% Sauvignon Blanc/25% Semillon. (They tried Riesling in the early days – that didn’t last).

Talbot has long had a reputation for dependability over brilliance – but things are changing. In 2007, the Cordiers took a strong decision to drive quality here. They took on not one but two consultants, Stephane Derenoncourt (for the vineyard and the cellar) and Eric Boissenot (for blending). They completely revamped the cellar. More recently, in 2018 they appointed Jean-Michel Laporte (ex of La Conseillante) as Director. Recent vintages of Talbot have been very good. (NT 13/08/25)