Balthazar Château Talbot - Saint-Julien 2016 b5952cb1c3ab96cb3c8c63cfb3dccaca

Wein Wisser

17 / 20

the5/22/2017

Purpur mit violettem Rand. Blaubeeriges Bouquet mit feinblättrigen Noten, dahinter viel tabakige Würze undLakritze. Am festen Gaumen mit mürber Textur und feinsandigem Tannin, ein burschikoser Talbot, der Zeit braucht.

Le Figaro - L'Avis du Vin

18 / 20

byClub Vinthe5/15/2017

Nez dense, fruits noirs, prune rouge. Bouche ample, belle acidité, tannins amples, élégants, finale très longue, vin digeste.

Bettane & Desseauve

96 / 100

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/3/2017

Très beau style, précision du fruit et du tannin, authenticité de l’expression du terroir, un futur classique du millésime.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/2/2017

The 2016 Talbot has a conservative bouquet with slightly leafy black fruit, a subtle earthiness that percolates through with time. At first, the aromatics seem standoffish, but you gradually warm to its charms. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp and tensile tannin. There is an edginess to this Talbot, and it does not quite possess the harmony and charm of other Saint Julien 2016s. But, there is personality here—a bit curmudgeonly and yet you keep going back to take another sip. One to watch.

The Wine Cellar Insider

91-93 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/27/2017

Medium bodied with sweet black plums and a licorice, espresso personality, this one is already approachable with round textures and an oaky, juicy, dark fruit finish. The wine was made from a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot.

Vinous

92-95 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe4/26/2017

The 2016 Talbot is shaping up to be a jewel of a wine. Black cherry, plum, gravel, smoke, lavender and mint all flesh out in this decidedly imposing, vertical Saint-Julien. Concentrated and forbiddingly tannic at this stage, the 2016 is going to need at least a few years to start coming into its own. It should age gracefully for decades.The blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot. Stéphane Derenoncourt and Julien Lavenu consult. Tasted three times.Tasted two times.

matthewjukes.com

17,5 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/25/2017

(55 Cabernet Sauvignon, 39 Merlot, 6 Petit Verdot) | 60% new oak | 13.6% alc. A touch muted on the nose and also not as expressive as many of the St-Juliens, this is a controlled Talbot with a lovely, buoyant mid-palate which makes up for the flat start. Oak is evident and this bruises the fruit somewhat but overall this is a solid effort but I cannot help feeling that they could have pushed this wine more. 17.5

Decanter.com

94 / 100

byJane Ansonthe4/24/2017

Lovely deep damson colour with violet edging that suggests a healthy pH. Great balance of fruit and acidity, this is one of the fresher wines of the appellation. The fruit is cleanly extracted, fresh and well paced, with a lovely layer of complexity driven by smoke-edged mineral notes. Aged in 50% new oak. Drinking Window 2027 - 2050

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/21/2017

Very dark and shiny. Not that intense but very well mannered. Sweet, almost thick, start. Very flattering. If I had to choose one wine to represent the vintage in typical style I might well choose this one – though the hint of heat on the end is a little worrying. Should be rewarding in the end. Great harmony.

Wine Enthusiast

93-95 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/19/2017

Barrel Sample. This is a juicy wine, already bursting with fruit and well-integrated tannins. It is a wine with a medium-term future, best enjoyed around 2026.

Wine Spectator

93-96 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/10/2017

Pure, with a core of cassis and blueberry fruit streaming through, carried by ample yet embedded graphite-edged grip. Keeps a fresh feel through the finish. Lovely.—J.M.