62% cabernet sauvignon 33% merlot 5% petit verdot. Harvested between Sep 29 and Oct 4. Coffee chocolate earth and wild mushroom emerge up front on the nose with black fruit following behind. While there seems to be uniformity in the wines of St. Julien for this vintage the nose on the 2010 Talbot is unique for its prominence of earthy aromas. Whether that holds true over time or if the fruit moves forward will be the key to this Talbot joining the upper echelon from St. Julien or not. With definite power on the palate the dark fruit is supported by ample acidity so that this is big and structured while remaining lively. At this time there is more power than elegance here and this seems more appropriate in a lineup of Pauillac wines than with its brothers and sisters from St. Julien. Stephane Derenoncourt consults. Best 2015-2030.

Rich, vibrant nose. Milk chocolate, cherries and soft floral scents. Bouncy and grippy. A lovely bright aspect but with quite a serious, streamlined core so you get cool, fresh blueberry and tangy raspberry fruit with high acidity married to lean, mineral-edged, straight tannins. Subtle weight and good structure. Flavour goes all the way to a long finish although it's marked by quite a mineral, salty, liquorice edge.

Darker fruit than the Talbot 2009, and more closed in its architecture, showing that both of these wines really encapsulate the vintage character. Solid, muscular, impressive, well textured, with a slab of bitter chocolate cutting through the fruits on the finish.

Tasted at the chateau and at the UGC the Talbot was picked from 29th September with the young vines and around the 4th October for the older. This is the second vintage under Stephane Derenancourt. A blend 63% Cabernet Sauvignon 32% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot the 2010 has a refined bouquet that for me has better harmony and focus than the 2009 at this stage last year a purity that perhaps has been missing from the estate in recent vintages. The palate is impressive: the Cabernet Sauvignon very pure and focused a newfound sense of mineralité and elegance and precision towards the finish. One of the best Talbot produced in recent years...but there is still room to improve. Drink 2014-

Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Talbot opens with maturing scents of fruitcake, Chinese five spice and cigar box plus hints of dried mint, pencil lead and chargrill. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is pleasantly spicy, with a light grip of chewy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing savory.- LPB