Second Wine, Chateau Talbot 2013, 2015, 2017

All three vintages are some of the most balanced second wines from Chateau Talbot. With improved structure and mature stylistics, there are notes of liquorice and graphite, creamy texture, slightly grainy tannin, and more fleshiness and sensuality than elegance, but that's what second wines should be.

Lower marks like 84 Larsson- not wrong- the price is excellent for the great, simple 2013: lively red berries and herbs, earthy, light and supple palate, fresh berry fruit and a rounded finish. We awarded 2013 DD92 points.

For the 2015 bottle, Vin De Verte awards 92 points and commented, 'The nose is relatively powerful. It reveals fine notes of minty liquorice, cassis and Zan associated with a touch of blackberry, slight touches of mocha and a (very) discreet note of flowers. The palate is fruity, gourmand, relatively fleshy and offers a nice maturity/precision and a small density. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of blackberry, black cherry and a touch of plum associated with discreet notes of wild strawberry, a touch of liquorice, slight/discreet notes of chocolate and a toasted hint. Good length(edited).'

The 2017 bottle, also a 92 Vin de Verte, is 'aromatic and delicate, and it offers a refined concentration and a beautiful grain. It reveals notes of cassis, blackberry, cornflowers/flowers, fleshy strawberry and fleshy raspberry combined with discreet touches of liquorice, spices, colas, and a sensitive touch of grey pepper. The palate is fruity, mineral, well-balanced, racy, precise, slightly tight and offers a delicate juiciness, a good definition, freshness, and suavity. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of fleshy cassis, ripe red berries and slight notes of ripe / crushed redcurrant associated with delicate touches of ripe wild raspberry, racy minerality, flowers (cornflower, lily), racy minerality as well as discreet touches of liquorice, sweet spices and dark chocolate on the finish/persistence. Tannins are fine. Good length. Edited'