Langoa Barton 2020

Restrained and serious, in keeping with the character of the vintage. Lovely silky tannins, unrolls slowly, with plenty of black fruits, mint leaf and pencil lead, this is delicous, restrained power, building on their success of recent vintages. 34hl/ha yield, harvest September 14 to 28.

Full bottle 1,345 g. Cask sample taken 6 April. 53.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 8.5% Cabernet Franc.Healthy deep purplish crimson. High-toned, fully ripe nose that is rather seductive before a glossy, polished-tannin dry finish. Promises well for the future while being relatively charming even now. Not the most concentrated 2020 but everything is in balance. Well done. Sappy, dry finish. Very St-Julien. Some restraint despite the initial seduction. 13.5%Drink 2028 – 2046

(54% CS, 38% M, 8% CF; 34hl/ha, 13.5% ABV; 60% new)Light redcurrant and gravel nose; beautifully balanced, with a nice concentration, fresh in acidity, firm in very fine-grained tannins; dense, dry, red-fruit ripe flavor, even and elegant, with excellent length. Taut but not austere, beautifully cut, aromatic, complex, and very good indeed. Complete, restrained, but classy wine. A ripe red fruit and gravel classic. 2028–40+.

The 2020 Langoa Barton has quite a plush, violet-tinged bouquet, higher-toned than the Léoville Barton, though without the same unerring complexity. This just wants to go out and have fun. The palate has an irresistible rondeur, velvety smooth with black plum, hints of cassis and a sweet and persistent finish. Joyful.

The 2020 Langoa Barton has a really gorgeous, very pure bouquet of crushed violets infusing black cherry, blueberry and black plummy scents. The new oak seems a little more pronounced compared to recent vintages and yet it is in sync with the fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe tannins that disguise the structure underneath, the counterbalancing acidity line keeping everything focused and fresh. This is quite an audacious Langoa, and you what? It pulls it off. Drink 2026-2055.

Very pretty blackberry and blueberry character with blackcurrants and mint. It’s medium-to full-bodied with linear, tight tannins that are polished and fine.

Sporting a deep purple-black color, the 2020 Langoa Barton needs a little swirling to unlock youthfully muted scents of warm cassis, black cherry preserves and boysenberries, plus hints of menthol, graphite, tilled soil and bouquet garni. The medium-bodied palate is delicately played with impressive freshness delivered by the red berry and herbal sparks within a black-fruit core, with grainy tannins to support, finishing long and invigorating. 2026 - 2050

Not quite as generous as Léoville Barton, replaced with classicism and subdued tannins, as we see the impact of a slightly cooler terroir. Juicy finish, black fruits, plenty of life and lift through the palate. Enjoyable, but closed in with clove spice that is very clear on the finish. Tasted twice. A yield of 34hl/ha. Harvest September 14 to 28.Drinking Window 2027 - 2042