The 1982 Talbot might be one of the most underestimated wines of the Left Bank. This bottle was my own contribution and it outflanked some of the more expensive, better reputed Saint-Julien wines. Captivating on the nose, classical through and through, this is fresh and vibrant, a bit leaner than the Ducru-Beaucaillou though with more cohesion and refinement. The palate unfolds in exquisite fashion, with finely chiselled tannins, supremely well balanced with a hint of graphite and pain d'épices towards the languid finish. Irresistible. This might actually be the best bottle that I have ever drunk. Tasted single-blind at the 1982 dinner at Cornus in London. -- Neal Martin

The brilliant 1982 Talbot is a reference point for this estate, and in my experience, only the 1945 can match its quality. Offering up rich aromas of blackberries, smoked meats, loamy soil, licorice and black olives, it's full-bodied, broad and textural, with a thick, fleshy attack that segues into an ample, muscular mid-palate. Rich and savory, it's a compelling wine in its prime today. There's no reason to defer gratification. - William Kelley