1978 Château Talbot
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Tasting notes
Clear ruby. Lightly bretty but very fresh pure fruit. Clean and lively. Dry finish but fun mature wine now. Got steadily brettier in the glass. (JR)
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 1978 Talbot is a vintage that has escaped my palate until now. At four decades it has an attractive animally, dried-blood and sous-bois tinged nose that you could almost mistake for an old Rhône! The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, touches of black pepper and tobacco with an “old school”, light but fresh finish. It is a very classic old Saint-Julien but fair dues – this Talbot seems to be holding up well still giving pleasure.
Consistently a classic, medium-weight wine, the 1978 Talbot has reached full maturity. It offers an attractive, moderately intense bouquet of weedy cassis fruit and damp, earthy notes. Medium-bodied, with excellent concentration for a 1978, as well as fine acidity, this stylish, flavorful wine should be drunk over the next 10 years. Last tasted, 5/93.
Consistently a classic, medium-weight wine, the 1978 Talbot has reached full maturity. It offers an attractive, moderately intense bouquet of weedy cassis fruit and damp, earthy notes. Medium-bodied, with excellent concentration for a 1978, as well as fine acidity, this stylish, flavorful wine should be drunk over the next 10 years. Last tasted, 5/93. Aug 1993, www.robertparker.com
About the producer

Quality has not necessarily always lived up to this property’s Fourth Growth status, however there have been significant improvements in recent years, with a sustainable focus in the vineyard, and new winery and cellar.