Château Langoa Barton, 3ème Cru Classé, St Julien, 2018

Tasting Note:

We thought Langoa Barton had been closing the gap on Leoville over the last decade, but there appears to be a chasm again in 2018. This is partly because Leoville is so good. Having said that, we were actually really impressed by Langoa this year. A blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc aged in 60% new barrels, there is an abundance of clear raspberry, spice and suave red berry fruit on the nose. Beautiful clear, refined fruit continues on the palate: pure loganberry, creme de mûre; it's not voluptuous, but it is intense and packed with flavour. The tannins are grippy if a touch rustic, but they are well measured and frame the fruit nicely, adding seductive lingering nuances and impressive length.