| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Julien |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Léoville Barton's smaller sister château has been producing increasingly excellent wines in recent vintages. Grape varieties, viticulture and vinification are similar to those of Léoville. Quality is often very similar too. Classic St Julien is produced here with real Cabernet Sauvignon "grip" and class. There are currently 20 hectares in production, with an average vine age of 37 years. Langoa is a fantastic source of "proper claret" at sensible en primeur prices.
The first vintage vinified in the Barton family's new winery, the 2021 Langoa Barton is immensely promising, offering up aromas of cassis, cigar wrapper, loamy soil and black truffle, followed by a medium to full-bodied, velvety and seamless palate that's deep and complete, its vibrant core of fruit framed by ripe tannins and lively acids. It's a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Tasted three times.
The yield here of 39 hl/ha is actually a touch up on last year. Lilian feels it is a bit better than the 2017 and similar to the 2008 - but fresher. Made from 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Deep ruby colour. There is good depth for the vintage here, with forest fruit and deeply savoury wood smoke on the nose. The palate follows, very Cabernet in character with blackcurrant fruit, but with the added fleshy roundness of Merlot to soften the structure. Persistently chalky with a deep drive, the cedary, pure black fruit on the long finishes promises another fine Langoa Barton in 2021.
Blackberry and black olives with currants and crushed stone. Medium body, integrated tannins and a savory finish.
The 2021 Langoa Barton, the first year to be made in the new cellar, is a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it tumbles out of the glass with expressive notes of fresh blackcurrants, black cherries, and black raspberries, plus suggestions of clove oil, lilacs, and fallen leaves. Medium-bodied, the palate is tightly wound with firm, grainy tannins and bags of bright red berry flavors, finishing long and lifted.
2025-2037
Bright plum in colour, this is skilfully expressed, austere but present red cherry and blackberry fruits, strict tannic structure that opens through the mid palate to allow some juice and sandalwood smoke to run through the fruit. This has less of the exuberant depths that we have seen in Langoa in recent vintages, a little more old school overall, but will age, and has appellation signature. 60% new oak. Technical director François Brehant, consultant Eric Boissenot.
61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample.
More restrained than some aromatically but there’s fruit and freshness with a structure in behind. Touch of cassis as it opens. Some oak as well but should integrate. Grippy tannins on the finish. (JL)
Drink 2027 – 2038
