Château Talbot, Saint-Julien (Bordeaux, France) 2018

 Château Talbot has consistently been a good value for top-end Bordeaux.  Though classified as a 4th Growth in the 1855 Médoc Classification, its recent vintages effectively rank higher.  Talbot’s 2nd wine, the 2018 Connétable, is especially noteworthy because of its luxurious texture and enjoyment it brings now.  Second wines typically come from young vines or certain plots on the estate that traditionally don’t perform as well as others.  They usually are less complex with less fine tannins, which gives them a coarser texture.  The suaveness of the 2018 Connétable is remarkable.  It has the finesse you’d expect from Saint-Julien, with a healthy dollop of black fruit and spice.  Its silky texture allows immediate enjoyment.  So, if you want to see why people swoon over Bordeaux, grab a bottle of the 2018 Connétable and uncork it with a steak.  It’s a bargain for what it delivers.