The wines of Château Langoa Barton have the gracefully elegant fruit of a Saint Julien coupled with the masculine, cedar qualities associated with a Pauillac during their strongest vintages. If one is fortunate enough to visit the estate, the impressively large 18th Century Château might look familiar. That is because this château is also the facility where the renowned “Super Second” and sister property, Château Léoville-Barton produces their wines.
The structure on the label of the grand vin of Château Léoville Barton is actually Château Langoa Barton. The histories and legacies of these two estates are so inextricably linked that it is impossible to discuss one without mentioning the other. Though Château Leoville Barton often overshadows its younger sister, Château Langoa Barton, things are starting to change. Both estates have impressively remained under the supervision of the Barton family for nine generations, and as the quality continues to increase it’s only a mere matter of time before they reach the levels of a Super Second. It is quite impressive that Château Langoa Barton has remained under the ownership of the Barton family since it was classified as a Third Growth in 1855.
An intense garnet-red. A bewitching nose of blackcurrant, strawberry, cherry and spicy notes. Explosive on the palate with great freshness, the black fruits stand out, the tannins are supple and mellow. Sapidity and fine acidity are its hallmarks. Long finish.
Blend: 56.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot and 2.5% Cabernet Franc.
96 James Suckling Quite a classic wine for this hot and dry year. Excellent depth but also freshness, with convincing ripeness and a very long finish. Just medium to full body, with gritty tannins at the end. The fruit sweetness here is restrained. 60% new oak. Drink or hold.
95 Wine Spectator This is a suave rendering of the vintage, offering a vivid beam of boysenberry and blackberry puree that's gently succulent and generous in feel but stays racy and defined by an underlying iron note. Violet, ink and anise accents are infused throughout, lending brightness and range through the pure finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2027 through 2042.
95 Decanter A rich nose full of chocolate, cherries, espresso and perfume. Smooth and supple, this is full of juicy berry fruit - crystalline and pure - with a chalky mouthfeel. I love the touches of wet stone, cool cola, fresh mint and blueberries. Feels extremely finessed and totally moreish. It's a bit richer than some in terms of tannins, they're more crushed velvet in texture giving a certain thickness to the palate and it really works. Lively with great energy and focus. A lovely wine. Drinking Window: 2026 - 2048
95 Jeb Dunnuck Possibly the finest vintage I've tasted from this château, the 2022 Château Langoa Barton has a gorgeous perfume of red and black fruits intermixed with smoky tobacco, fresh flowers, and cedar. I love its overall balance, and it's medium to full-bodied, has a pure, layered mouthfeel, and present yet sweet, polished tannins. I love it even today, yet it deserves 4-6 years of bottle age and will cruise in cold cellars over the following two decades or more. Maturity: 2025 - 2045
94 Wine Enthusiast Ripe and juicy, this wine also has a fine structure. Rich black fruits set the scene for the wine's future with tannins and acidity marching together. Barrel sample.
95 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate The 2022 Langoa Barton has turned out superbly in bottle. Offering up aromas of cassis, blackberries, pencil shavings and violets, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and multidimensional, with velvety tannins, lively fruit and a long, penetrating finish. Seamless, integrated and intense, Langoa's more morcellated vineyards means that this estate has, if anything, gained even more from the Barton family's new vat room than its big brother Léoville Barton, as each parcel can now be fermented separately, optimizing its potential. This is the best young Langoa Barton I can remember tasting.
