Fine Wine – Chateau Langoa-Barton Vertical

Join is for another fantastic Bordeaux masterclass. This time we shall be discovering the wines of Château Langoa-Barton, a 3rd Classified Growth, which was one the first of the two Bordeaux wine estates bought by Hugh Barton in the 1820s, the other being Léoville-Barton, 2nd Classified Growth.

Hugh Barton settled in Bordeaux in the 18th century establishing a long and distinguished history in the region’s wine trade. Both Langoa and Leoville are still family-owned and run and together represent the longest tradition of unchanged ownership in the Médoc. Anthony Barton is the current proprietor but is gradually passing the reins to his daughter Lillian. Langoa Barton has 20ha of vineyards comprising of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc on classic gravelly-clay soils. Langoa Barton is vinified and matured in exactly the same way as Léoville-Barton and any difference between them must be put down to variations in the soils and exposure of their respective vineyard blocks.

Both Langoa and Léoville wines are models of typical St Julien restraint and elegance, and Anthony’s fair pricing policy, always with an eye to the long term , has won him many loyal friends amongst his customers. For years, Langoa Barton was considered slightly lighter and more forward than Léoville. However, in the last decade it has become noticeably deeper in colour and richer and more concentrated on the palate. Langoa Barton is now often the equal of the more expensive Léoville.

Wines on Tasting (8) & ratings:

1997 – 84 RP, 85 WS, 16.5 JR
1998 – 91 RP
2001 – 91 RP, 92 WS
2002 – 90 RP, 90 WS
2004 – 90 RP, 18.33 D
2005 – 90 RP, 92 WS, 18.5 D, 18 JR
2007 – 88 WS, 16.5 JR
Plus one MYSTERY VINTAGE (Blind Tasted)
RP – Robert Parker (& his team)

WS – Wine Spectator

JR – Jancis Robinson (& her team)

D – Decanter Wine Magazine

Wine to look forward to: 2005 – "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." (Jancis Robinson, April 2006)