Updated: Jul 29, 2024
After our previous review, we did not have the opportunity to taste the 2015 Talbot, but we rely on expert ratings for this vintage. The 2015 vintage holds significance in Talbot's history and is known for its exceptional quality and potential for ageing. Talbot is always velvety, and 2015 is riper and more structured. It has a balanced structure in terms of acidity and tannin texture, and in that sense, it is not as silky as other older vintages, but will eventually be in 5 years plus time. The nose is slightly suppressed for now and will express even more if you have the slight patience to wait for some moments in the glass.
The 2015 Talbot displays remarkable complexity and is showing much better now than just a year ago. It has a more intense bouquet compared to Gruaud Larose and Lagrange. Initial blackberry and bilberry scents and cedar and subtle mint aromas provide complexity as they sit in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins on entry and a fine bead of acidity and layers of graphite-infused black fruit. The precision and superb persistence of the finish are impressive. This assessment was made blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.
In July 2019, Neal Martin of vinous.com rated it RP93. This is a robust, full-bodied wine for St. Julien, demonstrating impressive concentration.
It carries plenty of spicy and toasty oak notes, a testament to its strength. The tannins will require some time to soften, but the elegant finish suggests that from 2020, this wine should make a strong impression. - 94 points, James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2018.
Deep ruby is still bright- the colour seems entirely developed, though. Black-red cherry, leather, spice, cedar, tobacco, and sou-bois restrained by toasty oak. Quite expressive for the full nosing by now. At the same time, more energetic black fruit appears to lurk behind. The wine has a fine tannic structure that is somewhat drying & finishes medium as a result. There is a certain charming ripeness from the 2005 vintage. The palate, which is clean and balanced, needs to be opened up in the first 30 minutes. Use slow oxygenation, chill slightly and leave it to room temperature for a better drinking temperature.
Scores are consistent and high in the 95 to 93 level.
2005 Vintage
This is opulent but with restraint. The fruit is rich, black and delicious. Touches of spice and wood lend complexity to the ripe fruits and balanced tannins. Impressive. (Edited)
94 points Vinous
The 2005 Branaire-Ducru is a gorgeous, super-expressive wine that captures all of the natural radiance of the year. Black cherry, leather, spice, cedar, tobacco, and scorched earth envelop the palate, framed by silky tannins that give this supple Saint-Julien so much charm. 2005 is a straightforward wine to drink and enjoy today, but it's got the stuffing to develop beautifully for years to come. (AG) (4/2021). Edited.
RP93
Floral nuances combined with lots of mulberry, raspberry and sweet blackcurrant fruit are followed by a medium to full-bodied, beautifully pure, textured, complex wine with soft tannin. It should drink well relatively early (2-3 years) and last 15 or more. Drink 2015 - 2030.
94 Steven Tanzer. Dark red-ruby. Plum, chocolate and some exotic smoky oak on the nose. Lush, smooth and sweet but not over the top, it offers unusual volume and breadth for Branaire. The exotic aspect carries through on the palate, yet this wine retains plenty of material. It finishes with building tannins and excellent length. Offers superb potential for ageing. ( edited)
Deep, ruby, tight rim. Fresh cherry and cassis fruit, followed by liquorice, with a tone of mineral and spice. The palate reflects the nose, slightly herbal, minty clean, with a firm structure. Tannins are full; body structured. The aftertaste is intense and round a la style Boissenot.; medium-bodied with long length; a masculine Margaux, a sleeper. Some scores are low; hence the price is still reasonable; however, WE, JS and RP scores are consistent at 92 to 93 levels, such as:
WE93. Barrel Sample. While the wine is closed and rigid, it's full of potential. Ripe berry fruits are there, buried for the time being beneath the tannins, but as they come through, they emphasize the wine's inherent generosity, which will continue to develop with age. Edited.
RP92. The Château d'Issan, a blend of 26% Merlot and 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, has a simple, light redcurrant and cranberry-scented bouquet with a pleasant floral aspect. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannins, with good depth considering its peers' performance and good definition on the finish. At last - a decent Margaux 2013! Edited.
92 JS. A great core of ripe fruit for the appellation of Margaux. Medium body, with blueberry and strawberry character. Fine tannins. Fresh finish. Extremely well done. Edited.
