Home
: 1988 Talbot, St-Julien

1988 Talbot, St-Julien

SKU #994170 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Outer quote mark Dark plum/garnet/ruby, with more color saturation than the 1989 or 1990, this wine has notes of new saddle leather intermixed with smoked beef, tapenade, vanilla, and an almost chocolatey mocha character. Some moderate tannins still need to be integrated, but this medium-bodied wine has excellent grip, depth, and overall character. As it has aged, it seems to have developed more personality, depth, and style than the more highly renowned 1989. (RP) Inner quote mark (1/2003)

Vinous

Outer quote mark The 1988 Talbot is a vintage that I had not tasted for a long time. Now at 30-years old, it has a slightly paler colour compared to the 1988 Gruaud Larose with faint bricking on the rim. The bouquet is very attractive with bright soy-tinged red fruit, sandalwood, clove and a touch of antique bureau. The palate is medium-bodied with light tannin, soft in texture with soy-tinged (again) red fruit, finely judged acidity and a classic, traditional cedar-tinged finish that is maybe just a tad too bitter, though this might be offset accompanied by suitable cuisine. One for those that like traditional Saint Julien, although I would drink bottles in the near future. (NM) Inner quote mark (5/2018)

Share |

1988 Talbot, St-Julien

Price: $129.99

Quantity:

Real Time Inventory by location:

The item you have chosen is not in stock in our retail stores or within our main warehouse.

Product turnaround time varies by location of inventory and your chosen method of shipping/pickup. For a detailed explanation click here.

We think you’ll also like

Product Reviews:

Additional Information:

Varietal:

Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends

- Cabernet Sauvignon has come a long way from its role as a blending varietal, however dominant, in the wines of Bordeaux. Today it is the most planted red varietal in the world. Identified as a descendent of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, the late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon needs to be planted in warmer climates to fully ripen. Its small berries can easily be identified for their distinctive blue color, thick skins and high tannins. And while the varietal has its own definitive characteristics: green pepper-like aromas and black currant flavors among them, it is perhaps most prized for its ability to convey terroir, vintage and winemaking. A relatively new varietal, Cabernet Sauvignon started making inroads into the wines of the Médoc and Graves in the late-18th century. Today it is also dominant in the up-and-coming Entre-Deux-Mers region of Bordeaux and can also be found in Southwest France. It is the companion varietal to Sangiovese in Italy's Super Tuscans and is planted all over Europe, stretching to lesser-known winegrowing regions like Russia and Lebanon. In the Americas Cabernet Sauvignon has found champions in every nook and cranny of California and among winemakers in Washington, where it complements plantings of Merlot. In South America, Cab thrives in Chile, but can also be found in smaller amounts in Argentina and even in Mexico.

Country:

France

- When it comes to wine, France stands alone. No other country can beat it in terms of quality and diversity. And while many of its Region, Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne most obviously, produce wine as rare, as sought-after and nearly as expensive as gold, there are just as many obscurities and values to be had from little known appellations throughout the country. To learn everything there is to know about French wine would take a lifetime. To understand and appreciate French wine, one only has to begin tasting them.

Sub-Region:

Bordeaux

Specific Appellation:

Saint Julien

- St. Julien, the smallest of the four famous appellations of the Haut Medoc, is known for highly extracted, finely structured, Cabernet-based reds. It is nestled between Pauillac to the north and Margaux to the south. Like St. Estephe, there are no first growths in this area. Leoville-las-Cases, Leoville Poyferre, Leoville Barton, Ducru Beaucaillou, and Gruard Larose are the second-growths of St. Julien followed by Lagrange which is the only third-growth. Beychevelle, Branaire Ducru, St. Pierre, and Talbot, which are all fourth-growth wines, round out the grand cru classe chateaux. In the last several vintages, wineries from this appellation have been out-performing their traditional rankings making many of the wines from this region some of the best values in red wine today.