Chateau Talbot 2006 Saint Julien

This beautiful wine deserves a shout out- a 2006 Chateau Talbot Grand Cru Classé.

Saint-Julien is situated in the Haut-Médoc district on the Left Bank of Bordeaux in south-western France. It’s a small region which is sometimes overlooked because it’s sandwiched in between the famous Paulliac and Margaux. The region is sometimes overlooked because of it’s famous neighbors. It however reliably produces elegant, age worthy wines. Collectors may overlook the appellation because it does not have a first growth chateau in the 1855 Bordeaux classification which is truly a shame. The grapes permitted in the region are Cabernet-Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Carmenère, Petit Verdot and Malbec. The vineyard is situated on the banks of the Gironde estuary, on deposits of alluvial gravel on top of fossil-rich limestone. Legend has it that the château was named after an English soldier, Constable John Talbot, who was killed in the battle of Castillon in 1453. The chateau was then owned by the Marquis of Aux till 1917 when the Cordier family who are proprietors of the well known Saint-Julien Chateau Gruard-Larose.

This wine is a 2006 vintage which was considered to be a good year. The wine was aged for around 14 months in oak barrels, around half of which are new. It is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. It is a deep garnet color. It still had freshness 14 years later with aromas of leather, smoke, savoriness, bramble, vanilla, tobacco and cherry. The palate is dry with silky fine grained tannins and beautiful flavors of leather, tobacco, raisin, smoke, violet, pepper, licorice, cherry, bramble, cassis, loooooonnnnnnngggggg finish. Well done Chateau Talbot.

Pair with beef tenderloin, grilled venison loin or as I did, thick cut grilled Old Québec Spice rub.

Full video review on Instagram: Gorgeous Chateau Talbot