Château Talbot

Identity

Château Talbot is an 1855 4e Grand Cru Classé, located in the commune of Saint-Julien-Beychevelle. It is managed by Nancy Bignon-Cordier, supported by her husband Jean-Paul Bignon. Jean-Michel Laporte serves as technical director, alongside cellar master Jean-Max Drouilhet. The estate also benefits from the expertise of consulting oenologist Éric Boissenot.

History and philosophy

The history of Château Talbot dates back at least to the 18th century, with vineyards already established at that time. The château takes its name from John Talbot, the English Constable and Governor of Guyenne who was defeated at the Battle of Castillon in 1453. The Cordier family acquired the property in 1917 or 1918, with Désiré Cordier overseeing his first vintage in 1919. The estate has remained in the Cordier family ever since, celebrating its centenary in 2018. In March 2018, Jean-Michel Laporte was appointed managing director, succeeding Jean-Pierre Marty. The estate holds Level 3 Haute Valeur Environnementale certification.

Appellations

Château Talbot crafts its red wines under the Saint-Julien appellation. For its white wine, the estate produces a Bordeaux blanc.

Practical information

Château Talbot is located at Lieu-dit Talbot, 33250 Saint-Julien-Beychevelle. You can contact the estate by telephone on +33 (0)5 56 73 21 50 or by email at talbot@chateau-talbot.com. The boutique is open Monday to Thursday from 9:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 17:00, and on Friday until 16:00. Tastings are available by appointment. The estate offers three complementary, private tour options, strictly upon prior reservation.

Find out more

Official estate website

The vineyard (terroir)

The Château Talbot vineyard covers 110 hectares, with 105 hectares dedicated to red grape varieties and 5 hectares to white varieties. The soils consist of fine Günzian gravel over a clay subsoil, forming a gravel terroir overlooking the estuary. The average age of the vines is 45 years. The grape variety mix for the reds is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot. For the white wines, the planting is 80% Sauvignon and 20% Sémillon. Harvesting is carried out entirely by hand by a team of around 120 pickers.

Flagship cuvées

Château Talbot produces several cuvées. The Grand Vin is Château Talbot, a 4e Grand Cru Classé. A second wine, Connétable de Talbot (sometimes referred to as Le Connétable Talbot), was introduced in the 1960s. The estate also produces a dry white wine, Caillou Blanc, made predominantly from Sauvignon.

Vinification and ageing

The wines of Château Talbot are aged in oak barrels for approximately 16 months, with 50% to 60% new oak. Ageing takes place in a cellar maintained at a constant temperature of 17°C. The main barrel cellar, designed by architects Nairac and Vacheyrout, was completed in 2013. For Caillou Blanc, ageing is carried out on the lees in barrels, with one-third new oak.