Wines

Amidst an ocean of vines, surrounded by towering trees, Château Talbot proudly stands atop the gravel plateau of Saint-Julien-Beychevelle. overlooking the estuary of the Gironde.

This historic estate owes its name to Lord John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury—a renowned English General and Connétable of France during the latter years of the Hundred Years’ War. Known as the “Scourge of the French,” John Talbot was immortalised in Shakespeare’s play, Henry VI. His defeat in 1453 at the Battle of Castillon, near Saint-Emilion, marked the end of the Hundred Years’ War and the departure of the English from most of France. So great was his fame that many localities across the Southwest of France bear his name. The Château itself was erected in the early 18th century, where Connétable Talbot once set up camp upon arriving in Aquitaine for his final military campaign against the King of France, Charles VII, in 1450. After two centuries in the hands of the Marquis d’Aux, and its classification in 1855, this Grand Cru was acquired by Désiré Cordier in 1918. His son, Georges, and then his grandson, Jean, continued the legacy, guiding Talbot to become one of the most esteemed growths in the Médoc. Upon the passing of Jean Cordier in the autumn of 1993, his daughters, Lorraine and Nancy, assumed the leadership of the Château. They expanded upon the achievements of their predecessors, leading the estate with dedication and skill for more than 15 years. Following the untimely loss of Lorraine Cordier in 2011, Nancy Cordier was joined by her husband, Jean-Paul Bignon, at the estate’s helm. Together with their team, they have striven to elevate Château Talbot even further, surpassing the accomplishments of generations past. Noteworthy are the new chais constructed in 2012 and their unwavering commitment to vineyard improvement. The addition of Jean-Michel Laporte as Managing Director and chief winemaker in 2018 has brought fresh expertise to the team, further solidifying the deep commitment and passion that connect the fate of a family to that of a historic estate.

The estate comprises 250 acres planted to Cabernet Sauvignon (66%), Merlot (30%), Petit Verdot (4%) for the red wines, Château Talbot and Connétable Talbot. Since the 1930’s, the Château has also produced a limited amount of white wine, Caillou Blanc, a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon .