Rock 'em, sock 'em St.-Julien, with mouthcoating ganache and tar notes backed by commensurate cassis, blueberry paste and blackberry reduction flavors. The long finish rumbles through, with buried brambly grip providing the support for the dense fruit and toast to meld. Best from 2025 through 2040. 29,833 cases made. — JM

This is already a beautiful St.-Julien that’s ripe and elegant with not a jot too much oak or tannin, but a very fresh and lively finish that keeps on going. However, there are some serious reserves in this wine that need time to be released. Already very harmonious, but better from 2021.

Young and closed even as it clocks towards eight years old, but all of the building blocks of a brilliant wine are here. A little soft through the mid palate compared to some of its sibling 2016s, but this has charm, St Julien finesse, great length. Higher Merlot than usual because of the particular success of this variety, yet this remains full of Left Bank character - pencil lead, slate, woodsmoke, blackberry. Eric Boissenot consultant, 50% new oak for ageing, Jean-Pierre Marty director.

The anthocyanes are clearly on display in this inky purple wine. Touches of rusticity and earth sit alongside the rich cassis and bilberry fruit. It's a big, sculpted, gorgeously confident wine with a low pH and plenty of power. Matured in 50% new oak. Bottled in May 2018. Read more at https://www.decanter.com/wine-reviews/france/bordeaux/chateau-talbot-st-julien-4eme-cru-classe-2016-10902#IqFuuDlCtu4vYlEh.99

Brought up in 50% new oak, the 2016 Château Talbot is a winner and certainly over-delivers. Powerful notes of crème de cassis, tobacco leaf, lead pencil, and leafy herbs all give way to a silky, seamless Saint-Julien that has remarkable purity of fruit and building, fine tannins. It’s the texture as well as the purity that set this apart, and readers looking for a great value should purchase a case of this beauty.

The smooth texture of this wine is deceptive. Behind its ripe black fruits and acidity, the wine has a strong sense of structure to give shape and potential to the freshness and fruit. The wine will age, not perhaps for the really long term but certainly it is worth waiting until 2025.

The smoke, licorice, espresso and ripe dark, spicy fruits all shine with ease here. Round in texture and a touch oaky, the wine leaves you with sweet, dark red fruits, espresso and licorice, with a nice cedar note. . Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2016&wine=Chateau%20Talbot

The 2016 Talbot is medium garnet-purple colored and opens with pretty floral notes of roses and lavender with a core of cassis, blackberry preserves and kirsch plus wafts of cigar box and spearmint. Medium-bodied with a lovely intensity of black and red fruit flavors, it has a ripe, grainy texture and compelling freshness, finishing savory. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown