| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Julien |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Léoville Barton's smaller sister Chateau. Grape varieties, viticulture and vinification are similar to those of Léoville. Quality is often very similar too. Classic claret is produced here with real Cabernet Sauvignon "grip" and class. There are currently 20 hectares in production, with an average vine age of 35 years. The 2018 is made from 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc.
At this point Langoa was really starting to stand out among its peers in St Julien, and it is performing extremely strongly here. Retains the touch of austerity that I found En Primeur, with powerful tannins asserting their presence, but riven through with sappy and smiling raspberry and blackberry fruit. Woodsmoke, liqourice and clove spices show the warmth of the year. Excellent stuff, one to look out for. Technical director François Brehant, consultant Eric Boissenot.
Currants, cloves, graphite and cigar box on the nose. Some pine and citrus zest, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, tight-grained tannins. Structured and vivid with plenty of tension. Lovely sweet fruit at the finish. Try from 2025.
The 2018 Langoa Barton has a deep garnet-purple color and notions of ripe blackcurrants, fresh blackberries and kirsch with touches of bouquet garni, cedar chest and pencil lead plus a hint of crushed rocks. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly styled and refreshing with bright, red fruit and herbal sparks lifting the black fruit and an approachable, chewy texture, finishing savory. Drink 2023-2035.
Tasted blind. Mild, relatively restrained ripe Cabernet. Then it doesn’t quite carry through. A bit dry and dusty on the palate. More austere than most of its peers. 13.5%
Drink 2026 – 2040
63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc; 60% new oak. Barrel sample.
Black core. Intense, small-berried wild black fruits. A very nice combination of dark fruit and savoury black olive. Firm, dense and compact in tannin structure but not tough or drying, just very tannic. The second time I tasted this it seemed more supple. Even with these obvious tannins, there's freshness on the very end. (JH) 13.85%
Drink 2027-2037
Deep ruby in colour with a very fragrant nose of pepper, cassis, cedar and smoky, savoury oak. The palate is juicy, with fleshy black cherry and blackcurrant exploding through the chalky, mouthcoating tannins. The acidity is vibrant and adds poise and elegance to this intense but harmonious wine. Long, pure and refined on the finish. A fantastic Langoa Barton.
The 2018 Château Langoa Barton comes from the team at Léoville Barton and is based on 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc. It has remarkable purity and elegance, with a crunchy, juicy feel in its blue fruits, violets, and floral aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied, elegant, and nicely concentrated on the palate, it’s going to need at least 7-8 years of bottle age, but it’s a beautiful wine.
(63 Cabernet Sauvignon, 28 Merlot, 9 Cabernet Franc) | 60% new oak | 13.85% alc A lovely and balanced wine with some superb length and controlled flavours, there is none of the super-ripeness seen in other estates and in its place is a layered and elegant wine and this is exactly what Langoa should be. Relaxed, honed and cultured, this is a delightful wine.
There’s real freshness to the crushed-raspberry and blueberry character of this young red. Medium-to full-bodied and zingy with energetic tannins. Crisp finish. Lovely purity of fruit to this.
The deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Langoa Barton is slightly shy at this nascent stage, revealing wonderfully pure, warm red and black currant scents with nuances of blueberry preserves, chocolate mint, smoked meat and a waft of bouquet garni. Full-bodied, rich and sporting a lot of vibrant, juicy fruit in the mouth, it has firm, rounded tannins and a lively backbone lifting the fruit to a good, long finish.
