Chateau Talbot Saint-Julien 2001 750ml 94 pts Wine Enthusiast

-

Wine Spectator 90 points Very perfumed with blackberry and light wet earth. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, long finish. Rich and generous for the vintage. Much better than from barrel.Wine Enthusiast 94 points There is a great link here between the tannins, delicious red berry fruits and blackcurrants and the almost architectural structure. The wine certainly has fine fruit, a great balance, very complete, finishing gently, ripe and soft.Wine Advocate The 2001, which represents only 50% of the production, is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. A dense saturated ruby/purple color is followed by notes of smoked herbs, licorice, cedar, incense, plums, and black currants. The wine is medium-bodied and moderately tannic for a 2001, with good depth as well as power.Decanter 91 points Colour-wise this wine has held itself together a little more than the 2000 vintage. The higher acidity could be down to the cooler nights in 2001, and this displays more grip and vibrancy through the palate. It definitely seems to have further to go on the palate – the fruit is black, tight and a little less expressive right now then the 2000. Nevertheless, this is still an extremely classic St-Julien, not hugely generous but with more intense menthol and cold ash notes. Well balanced. Aged in 50% new oak. A touch of Cabernet Franc makes up the blend.Jancis Robinson 17 points Very dry tannins but sweet palate entry. Clearly ambitious and solid. This should not disappoint. Very long and very “masculine”. Lots of extract without exaggeration. Long. 17/20 points.