This was a strong performance (better than my original notes suggested) by the 2000 Talbot. Close to full maturity, it exhibits a dense ruby/plum/purple color in addition to a subtle herbaceousness intermixed with smoked meats, black currants, licorice, cedar, and foresty notes. Rich and full-bodied with light tannins, and a slightly richer, more savory, broader, deeper style than I remember... (RP)

Soft, blueberry and brambled autumn fruit – a definite hedgerow feel. This has expectedly soft tannins at this stage, moving into tertiary territory. Certainly an excellent wine for early drinking, with cigar smoke notes, even the dried tobacco leaf. It’s currently at its peak Médoc character, although perhaps it softens too much towards the end. This is elegant and effortless, full of classic St-Julien balance. Aged in 50% new oak. A touch of Cabernet Franc makes up the blend. (JA)

The 2000 Talbot is served in one of 1,000 “Sylvain Dubuisson” bottles, whereby the bottle is housed in a vessel that filters the wine. Deep in colour, it has a Burgundian bouquet with pastille-like raspberry and cranberry fruit laced with tobacco and cedar. With time in the glass it becomes more floral in style. The palate is medium-bodied and softer in texture than other millennial Left Bank wines. Dorset plum intermingles with boysenberry with a touch of vanilla, though it feels quite backward on the finish (redeemed by appealing smoothness.) Good length here and fine potential. (NM)