The San Diego chapter of the Commanderie de Bordeaux is delighted to welcome Jean-Paul Bignon from Bordeaux, France. Monsieur Bignon is the husband and brother-in-law, respectively, of fourth generation Château Talbot owners and winemakers, Nancy Bignon Cordier and her sister Lorraine Cordier. Great-grandfather and Saint-Julien Mayor Desiré Cordier purchased the estate in 1918 and it remains in the extended Bignon Cordier family today. 

The estate has a rich history. Its name originates with Connétable Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, a famous English military commander who was defeated at the battle of Castillon in 1453, ending the 100 Years War between France and England. In 1855, at the time of the Médoc and Graves classifications ordered by Emperor Napoleon III, Château Talbot was promoted as a fourth classified growth of Saint-Julien. For several decades it belonged to the Marquis of Aux and was then purchased in 1918 by the aforementioned Désiré Cordier.

Château Talbot comprises 110 hectares of a single vineyard (272 contiguous acres) in the heart of the Saint-Julien commune, an outstanding appellation counting no fewer than 11 classified growths.

The sloping vineyards are planted on a terroir of fine Gunzian gravels with a core of fossil-rich limestone. Château Talbot's exceptional terroir consists of well-draining hilltops of alluvial gravel carried by the Dordogne River from the Massif Central and by the Garonne River from the Pyrenées. The vineyard surrounds the estate home and stretches north, all the way to the border with the Pauillac appellation. 

The wines are supervised by Nancy Bignon-Cordier with the valuable advice of enologist Eric Boissenot and consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt, They are consistently rich while remaining extremely elegant. The smooth taste and their silky tannins make it possible to drink them young as well as after prolonged aging. With time they develop a delicate, complex aromatic bouquet with tones of cedar and Havana tobacco.

Vineyards are planted to 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. The average age of the vines is 42 years old. There are also cultivated white grape varieties given to 80% Sauvignon blanc and 20% Sémillon. All the grapes are harvested by hand and fermented either in wood or stainless steel tanks.

We will be enjoying six vintages of Château Talbot's eponymous grand vin, as well as beginning the evening with one of the Médoc's oldest dry white wines, Talbot Caillou Blanc. 

We will finish the evening with a special surprise from the personal cellar of our event host, Commandeur-Argentier Judy Robbins. 

The wines of the Saint-Julien appellation distinguish themselves by their natural finesse and successful balance. Their style creates a splendid link between the elegance of the Margaux wines and the power of the Pauillacs. https://www.chateau-talbot.com/en/the-estate/

Dress and Regalia: Business Attire and Commanderie pocket crests. 

Location Venue:   Mille Fleurs, 6009 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe

Info below is required to keep the lawyers at WIX happy:

As per our articles of Incorporation: "The purpose of the Commanderie is to disseminate better understanding and appreciation with respect to the wines of the Bordeaux region and to promote convivial relations among members of said association.  We organize and encourage wine tasting at which members may appropriately celebrate the virtues and benefits of the wines of Bordeaux."

All attendees must be of legal drinking age (21 years or older).