Bordeaux 2012: Talbot and Phélan Ségur

The first St-Julien estate emerged this morning in the shape of Château Talbot, closely followed by Saint-Estèphe property Phélan Ségur.

Talbot, like l‘Evangile, has not moved at all from its 2011 price. However, unlike the Right Bank estate’s €100 release price, at €26.40 per bottle ex-négociant, Talbot is rather more affordable.

Between £280 and £300 a case it nips in under most recent vintages, with the 2004 available for around £380 a case on average.

Reviews have been largely positive too, with most referring to it as one of the more “charming” or “uncomplicated” wines of the vintage.

Meanwhile, Phélan Ségur is listed at Corney & Barrow for £235 a case and was tipped by the merchant to be one of the best value wines of the vintage.

With merchants telling the drinks business that the campaign has so far been an “uphill struggle”, perhaps these well priced and attractive wines will catch the buyers’ attention.