Château Talbot

The history of Talbot Castle

The origin of the name of Château Talbot comes from the Constable John Talbot, Count of Shrewsbury, English military leader and known for his participation in the Battle of Castillon in 1453, at the gates of Bordeaux.

A rarity in the Médoc, for more than 100 years the château has belonged to one and the same family, the Cordiers. Désiré Cordier, already owner of Châteaux Gruaud-Larose and Lafaurie-Peyraguey, bought the estate in 1918. This wine merchant, one of the most influential in Bordeaux, greatly contributed to increasing Talbot‘s reputation and making it the one of the most famous crus of Bordeaux. The castle will then pass into the hands of his son Georges and then his grandson Jean. Nowadays, it is Nancy Bignon-Cordier, great-granddaughter of Désiré Cordier who runs the château with her husband and children. Jean-Michel Laporte, who assists Nancy Bignon-Cordier in the general management of the estate, works hand in hand with Damien Hostein the culture manager and Jean-Max Drouilhet the cellar master.

What are the characteristics of Château Talbot wines?

Château Talbot is located in the heart of the Saint Julien appellation, it covers an area of 110 hectares in one piece, including 105 hectares in red (cabernet sauvignon: 66% - merlot: 30% - petit verdot: 4%) and 5 hectares in white (Sauvignon: 80% - Sémillon: 20%).
 
The vines are located facing the Gironde on hilltops of Günzian gravel from the Quaternary, themselves placed on a base of limestone with starfish. This type of soil has a draining capacity which prevents water from stagnating and thus protects the vines.
 
Château Talbot produces generous wines of great elegance. The tannins are silky, which makes it possible to savor the wines from their youth or after a long period of aging in the cellar. Over time, these wines develop a delicate and complex aromatic bouquet, reminiscent of notes of cedar and havana.
   

What are the other wines of Château Talbot?

 
In addition to its classified growth, Talbot also produces a second wine “Connétable de Talbot” and a white wine cuvée called “Caillou Blanc de Talbot” in the simple Bordeaux appellation.
 
Connétable, one of the first second wines of the Médoc (it dates from the sixties). Over the years, it has benefited from all the care given to the vineyard as well as increasingly rigorous selections. Like its elder wine, Connétable is a classic and elegant wine, characterized by a clean and well-defined structure, and a long and refreshing finish.
 
Caillou blanc, comes from the time when Georges Cordier, the grandfather of the current owners was at the helm of the château, he was one of the first to replant white vines in the Médoc in the 1930s. Mostly made from Sauvignon grapes , with a hint of Sémillon, Caillou blanc is aged in barrels on its lees with Bourguignonne-style stirring. The wine is very aromatic, with a lively and nervous personality that can be found over the vintages.
  

The best vintages of Château Talbot

Among the greatest successes of the Château, the vintages that stand out are the Châteaux Talbot 1961, Châteaux Talbot 1980 and the Châteaux Talbot 1982. In addition, we also recommend the Châteaux Talbot 1986, Châteaux Talbot 1996 and Châteaux Talbot 2005.
   

Food and wine pairings

Château Talbot wines are the ideal accompaniment to red or white meats, poultry, game birds or even cheeses.

Castle website

https://www.chateau-talbot.com