Langoa Barton 2016

The 2016 Langoa-Barton has a very pure bouquet of black cherry and blackberry fruit and briary notes, but I would have liked more intensity. The palate is medium-bodied, rounded and forward, with supple tannin and a lilting, cedar-tinged finish. A delicious and perhaps more approachable Saint-Julien, although I have a feeling that it might close down, so keep a cool cellar handy. Drink 2021-2040.

The 2016 Langoa Barton is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc picked between 29 September and 13 October. It is being matured in 60% new oak barrels. It has a very succinct bouquet, with a mixture of black and red fruit, a slight sea spray/estuarine tincture, hints of leather and brown spice in the background. The palate is very harmonious on the entry with a grainy texture. There is good backbone here, maybe just a little foursquare compared to other Saint Julien wines, but it gathers pace towards the finish that displays touches of spice and cedar. Understated and classic Langoa. Drink 2022 - 2045.

The 2016 Langoa Barton is medium to deep garnet-purple colored and opens with cedar, red and black currants, kirsch and menthol with smoked meats. The palate is medium to full-bodied, firm, grainy and packed with youthful, energetic fruit, finishing long and perfumed. Drink 2020 - 2035.

Tight and chewy with a solid tannin structure and depth of fruit. Full body and lots of depth and texture. A Barton with lots happening already. Develops beautifully on the palate. Should be better than the 2015.

The 2016 Langoa Barton is succulent, racy and inviting, with striking textural richness and depth. Ripe dark plum, tobacco, cedar, licorice and spice are all generous in this racy, pliant Saint-Julien. The 2016 is an especially fine edition of Langoa-Barton and one of the sleepers of the vintage. Drink 2022-2036.

The 2016 Langoa Barton is soft, pliant and absolutely delicious. Succulent red cherry, rose petal, lavender, mocha and sweet spice fill out the wine's mid-weight frame effortlessly. Succulent and inviting, the 2016 is terrific today. The 2016 is marked by its energy and freshness, much of that the result of the Cabernet Franc, which is on the higher end of the range by historical standards. Tasted two times.

Exceptionally dark purple. Very meaty, concentrated nose with real lift. Lots of graphite and grit. No spare flesh but truly terroir wine. Sinewy. Bone-dry finish. Very much in its own style. But long and precise.
Drink 2027-2045

Léoville Barton's smaller (18 hectares) 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 17 hectares in production, with an average vine age of 35 years. The 2016 was harvested between 29th September and 13th October, will be a modest 13% alcohol, and will be raised in 60% new oak. The blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and 8% Cabernet Franc. Deep ruby colour with a spicy blackcurrant and black cherry nose. The palate is rich, juicy and chocolatey with notes of pure cassis and bramble fruits. The tannins are plentiful but velvet in texture, bringing superb harmony and precision to the mid-palate. The finish is long, pure and fine, another superb example of Langoa Barton.

Another beautiful Saint-Julien, the 2016 Château Langoa Barton reveals a saturated purple color to go with ample black, plummy, cherry fruits that are balanced by notes of scorched earth, licorice, and earth. This sexy, plump, chewy effort doesn’t give up too much elegance, yet it packs tons of fruit, character, and delicious charm. Drink it over the coming two decades or more. The blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and 8% Cabernet Franc, and it’s well worth having in your cellar. Drink 2021-2041.

Sweetness on the nose the palate has ripe black fruits mid richness. The tannins are fine discreet well integrated the ripeness on the mid palate balance by fresh fruits at the back but it fills out on the finish depth and richness. 2025-40

Often more approachable in its youth than stable mate Léoville-Barton, Langoa has a lovely brightness and poise in 2016, with the Merlot and Cabernet Franc contributing texture and aroma. Sappy and floral, with graphite and green pepper notes, and an overlay of oak that will integrate over the next few years. 2026-34

This is a controlled, confident and elegant demonstration of the appellation in this vintage. Coffee grounds on the nose and through the mid palate with tight, cassis-drenched fruits, cedar and menthol, ticking those St-Julien boxes.

Drinking Window 2027 - 2050