2005 Talbot (St-Julien)

Tasted single blind at Southwold. One of the best Chateau Talbot in recent years with a striking nose of Doris plum and damson, smoke developing with aeration and then ripe blueberry scents. Perhaps it is a bit heavy handed with the oak. The palate has good extraction, sappy black fruit, nice acidity with touches of iodine. It is surprisingly lush and expressive on the finish. This is a Talbot that should motor along nicely for two decades, maybe more. Drink 2011-2030. Tasted January 2009. 92 points

Full medium ruby. Very primary nose of cassis, licorice, earth and leather, complicated by an almost exotic note of chocolate. Then suave, broad and dry, with a fine-grained texture and very good palate coverage. Doesn`t currently show the lift or intensity of the best Medoc wines of the vintage, but offers a fleshy, solid impression and finishes with fairly sweet tannins for this property. 88-91 points