Grand Cru Classé (1990)

About this wine

The 1990 Château Talbot from Saint-Julien offers a harmonious blend of ripe blackcurrant and plum flavors, complemented by earthy notes of cedar and tobacco. With over three decades of aging, it has developed a silky texture and well-integrated tannins, showcasing the elegance typical of its appellation. The warm and dry conditions of the 1990 vintage contributed to the wine's depth and complexity. Hints of leather and a subtle smokiness add to its layered profile. This wine stands as a testament to the longevity and refinement of Bordeaux's Grand Cru Classé estates.

About the grape

In the 1990 Château Talbot Grand Cru Classé from Saint-Julien, the blend prominently features Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. Cabernet Sauvignon, making up about 68% of the vineyard's red grape plantings, thrives in the well-drained gravel soils of the region, contributing to the wine's structure and aging potential. Merlot, accounting for approximately 28%, adds softness and roundness, balancing the tannic nature of Cabernet Sauvignon. Petit Verdot, though only about 4% of the vineyard, imparts deep color and spicy notes; its late ripening can be challenging, but in favorable vintages like 1990, it enhances the wine's complexity.

Quick facts

• 🍇 The 1990 Château Talbot is a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, and 8% Petit Verdot, showcasing the classic composition of Bordeaux wines.
• 🍷 This vintage is renowned for its rich, dark fruit flavors, seamlessly blending with earthy undertones and mature tannins, offering a complex and refined tasting experience.
• ☀️ The 1990 vintage benefited from an exceptionally warm and dry growing season, resulting in grapes of profound ripeness and a wine with remarkable balance and structure.
• 🏞️ Château Talbot's vineyard spans 102 hectares, making it one of the largest in Bordeaux, and is situated on fine gravelly rises that provide excellent drainage, contributing to the wine's quality.
• ⚔️ The estate is named after Sir John Talbot, an English commander defeated at the Battle of Castillon in 1453, adding a historical significance to the wine's legacy.

Palate profile

Producer

Château Talbot, located in the Saint-Julien appellation of Bordeaux, France, is named after Sir John Talbot, an English military commander defeated at the Battle of Castillon in 1453. The estate was classified as a Fourth Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Wine Official Classification. In 1918, it was acquired by Désiré Cordier, whose family has managed the property for over a century, with Nancy Bignon-Cordier currently overseeing operations. The vineyard spans 110 hectares, making it one of the largest in the Médoc region, and is renowned for producing both red and white wines, including the notable Caillou Blanc, one of the Médoc's oldest dry white wines.