Barrel sample. This wine is heavily influenced by ample new-wood aging. It's deliciously juicy with black currant and plum fruits balanced by swathes of refreshing acidity at the end.

A juicy style of wine, Talbot's 2012 has a dense ruby/purple color, plenty of black and red currant fruit, a touch of plum, soft tannin and a spicy, medium-bodied mouthfeel. It is excellent, with no hollowness or astringency. This is a very successful wine in this vintage and should drink well for 15-20 years.

Has a core of fresh plum and blackberry fruit, backed by slightly austere grip on the finish, with an iron note hanging in the background. Direct, but a bit shy on range and stuffing. Drink now through 2019. 25,031 cases made.