Langoa Barton 2018

63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc; 60% new oak. Barrel sample.Black core. Intense, small-berried wild black fruits. A very nice combination of dark fruit and savoury black olive. Firm, dense and compact in tannin structure but not tough or drying, just very tannic. The second time I tasted this it seemed more supple. Even with these obvious tannins, there's freshness on the very end. (JH) 13.85%Drink 2027-2037

The 2018 Château Langoa Barton comes from the team at Léoville Barton and is based on 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc. It has remarkable purity and elegance, with a crunchy, juicy feel in its blue fruits, violets, and floral aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied, elegant, and nicely concentrated on the palate, it’s going to need at least 7-8 years of bottle age, but it’s a beautiful wine.

(63 Cabernet Sauvignon, 28 Merlot, 9 Cabernet Franc) | 60% new oak | 13.85% alc A lovely and balanced wine with some superb length and controlled flavours, there is none of the super-ripeness seen in other estates and in its place is a layered and elegant wine and this is exactly what Langoa should be. Relaxed, honed and cultured, this is a delightful wine.

The 2018 Langoa Barton was picked September 21–24 for the Merlot and September 29–October 6 for the Cabernet, then matured in 60% new oak. It remains opulent and high-toned on the nose, retaining those overt blueberry and cassis scents that I remarked upon in barrel. The palate is sweet and charming, though for me it needs a little more grip and backbone on the finish. This is a Langoa-Barton that might be just a little too willing to please at this early juncture, which leaves me speculating what it has in reserve for long-term cellaring. Drink 2023-2040.

The 2018 Langoa Barton was picked from 21 to 24 September for the Merlot and 29 September to 6 October for the Cabernet, then matured in 60% new oak. It has a high-toned and voluptuous bouquet with blueberry, crème de cassis and pressed violet aromas. It is very Margaux-like in style. The palate is very smooth and sensual, the multi-layered black and blue fruit with a saline undercurrent. It is floral on the finish, very seductive, but, maybe, I might have a slight preference for the 2017. Drink 2023-2045.

There’s real freshness to the crushed-raspberry and blueberry character of this young red. Medium-to full-bodied and zingy with energetic tannins. Crisp finish. Lovely purity of fruit to this.

The deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Langoa Barton is slightly shy at this nascent stage, revealing wonderfully pure, warm red and black currant scents with nuances of blueberry preserves, chocolate mint, smoked meat and a waft of bouquet garni. Full-bodied, rich and sporting a lot of vibrant, juicy fruit in the mouth, it has firm, rounded tannins and a lively backbone lifting the fruit to a good, long finish.