Langoa Barton 2019

A blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, and 7% Cabernet Franc, the 2019 Langoa Barton is deep garnet-purple in color. It storms out with powerful blackcurrant and baked plums scents, followed by suggestions of cedar, allspice, and fragrant soil. The medium-bodied palate delivers mouth-filling black fruit with soft tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing with a spicy lift.

Tasted blind. Purplish crimson. Not much nose initially, but it came out in the glass. Low-key and austere. Where’s the fruit? Underripe. Bone dry. 14%Drink 2029– 2043

A soft, seamless, beautifully textured Saint-Julien, especially in the vintage, the 2019 Château Langoa Barton gives up lots of red and black currant fruits as well as textbook damp earth, leafy herbs, chocolate, and spring flowers. It's complex, medium to full-bodied, has beautiful tannins, and no hard edges. Drink this beauty any time over the coming 20-25 years. The blend is 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc.

67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc. Barrel sample.Attractive nose of dark fruit with a savoury edge. Palate joyous and juicy with plenty of lift, the tannins ripe and smooth. Clean, long and harmonious. Everything in its place. (JL)Drink 2026 – 2038

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Langoa Barton is a very pleasant surprise, singing of Black Forest cake, raspberry preserves and warm blackcurrants notions with suggestions of chocolate mint, forest floor and pencil shavings plus a hint of cinnamon toast. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has jaw-dropping tension and intensity, featuring ripe, grainy tannins and bags of evocative red and black fruits, finishing with a lively lift. The style of this 2019 is worlds away from the also very impressive 2018, showcasing an even brighter, immediately impactful and downright flamboyant side to the estate. Color me impressed! 2024 - 2050

The 2019 Langoa Barton has closed down a little on the nose since I tasted it from barrel, offering blackberry, black olive and sandalwood, quite pastille-like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and beautiful definition but less structure than I remember out of barrel. Quite saline toward the finish, with a dash of white pepper. A delicious, classically-styled Langoa-Barton. Very fine. 13.92% alcohol 2026 - 2055

The 2019 Langoa Barton has a very typical Langoa nose, which is a good thing, sporting vivacious black cherries, blackberry, crushed iris, cedar and light blood orange scents lurking offstage. Lovely oak integration here. The palate is beautifully defined on the entry, a structured almost big-boned Langoa with enormous grip on the spicy finish. I love the generosity of this Saint-Julien, one that I suspect will be seductive on release but don't be deceived - it deserves cellaring lest you get a smacked wrist for being impatient. 2026 - 2055.

Very finely textured with pure blue fruit and lavender and violet undertones. It’s full-bodied with pure, focused fruit. Extremely long and refined. Clearly better than the 2018.

Silky blackberry and bilberry fruits, this is a brilliant Langoa, with concentration and lift that pull you both forwards and upwards through the palate. For me this is more successful than the 2018 because it delivers an absolute punch of fruits but gently so, with elegance and control that is very St Julien. Grilled cedar finish, great stuff. Drinking Window 2027 - 2042

67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc.Dark glowing purplish crimson. Perfumed, high-toned, intriguing nose. Very youthful indeed but all the elements are there for a pretty glorious long life. Bone-dry finish but true to the estate. 14%Drink 2028 – 2046