| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Julien |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Tasting blind in a flight of the top 12 wines of Saint Julien in February 2017. This was my wine of the flight. Overall it came 4th beating 8 more expensive wines (as it did at Southwold when first tasted from bottle). A deep, dense colour showing little fade. A soaring nose of powerful black fruits and some hints of spice and liquorice. The palate is classically Medocaine with cigar box, cassis and intense blackcurrant fruit. The tannins give it grip and structure, but they have now softened to make this approachable and a long life ahead is assured. Textbook claret. Wonderful wine. Stephen Browett.
The Château Langoa Barton 2005 offers plenty of concentration on the nose: blackberries, blueberry, a touch of cedar and tobacco emerging from the glass, opening and gaining intensity all the time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. This is beautifully balanced in the mouth, perhaps just a little conservative but with great precision and length. It has the freshness and vitality to be approachable now, though I would prefer to leave this for another 4 or 5 years. Drink 2020 - 2045
This primordial-styled, incredibly tannic St.-Julien reveals a dense purple color along with aromas of roasted meats, tapenade, cassis, melted licorice, and chocolate. Following the promising aromatic display, the wine shuts down in the mouth, revealing only excruciating tannin and good acidity. It will not be ready to drink for at least 15 years. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2040.
Ruby red in colour, bright reflections, crushed stone, raspberry coulis, rose petals, liqourice. At an excellent moment to drink, this is generous and joyful with so much St Julien finesse. A clear sign of the briliance of 2005, one to look out for, could even work slightly chilled as the tannins are very fine at this point. Another one to feel pretty happy about if you bought it En Primeur. 70% new oak for ageing, Michel Raoul technical director, Eric Boissenot consultant.
Tasted blind. Very fragrant and winning. Dense, with coffee notes. Mint too. Ambitious. Dry tannins and just a bit dead on the end but very sincere.
Drink 2018-2036
Good ruby-red. Rich plummy aroma. Deep and chewy if a bit youthfully sullen, with sweet flavors of redcurrant, mocha and tobacco. Finishes with chewy tannins. Distinctly fatter than the 2006 but a bit less chocolatey and dark in its flavor presentation.
Ripe red and black fruit. Classic, elegant, blackcurrant Cabernet. Full, expressive, rich plummy fruit. Finely grained tannins, lovely balance. Drink from 2011.5 Stars.
Came 25th out of 184 wines
A great classic, still rich and dark in colour at 17 years old, with tannins that are just beginning to allow the fruit to emerge. Powerful, concentrated and intense, with liqourice, cocoa, campfire smoke and cigar box spice. Walking the line, finishing on acidity in the best possible way, juicy and easy to recommend. So much St Julien pleasure at a price that makes it one of the bargains of 2005. This is the one to pick you are choosing between 2005 Léoville and Langoa right now, as Léoville is barely out of the gate. 70% new oak for ageing, Michel Raoul technical director, Eric Boissenot consultant.
Tasted at the Langoa-Barton vertical in London. A stunning 2005 that over-achieves…and some. A lucid garnet colour. There is a sumptuous, almost decadent quality to the nose with notes of raspberry, black plum, mulberry, just a hint of Seville orange marmalade, all with wonderful definition and freshness. The palate is full-bodied with a velutinous entry. An unashamedly seductive Langoa with very fine tannins and a tangible lightness of touch married with immense purity. The middle and finish have an unerring symmetry whilst the finish is about as seamless as Saint Julien can get (actually redolent of a less turbo-charged Leoville Las-Cases.) Moderate length: blackberry, tobacco and a touch of pepper on the finish. A Langoa that I suspect is more for medium- rather than long-term drinking like its sibling. But who cares...delicious! Drink 2012-2030. Tasted April 2009.
Mid crimson. Markedly fragrant, even almost floral. Mid weight with some sweetness. Lots of acidity. Still quite tense and taut. Drying finish. 13%
Drink 2020-2036
Very dark purple. Exceptionally ripe and opulent on the nose - most unusual for St-Julien and at first I thought this wine might be over the top but in fact there is sufficient rigour on the palate - mild constitution, definitely St-Julien. Well done! Not at all hot on the finish - moderate, beautifully judged. If you were in the dock, you'd want this one to be on the bench [on trial/be the judge]. Very neat and mild, and dry, on the finish. Fine tannins. Drink 2015-28
