CHÂTEAU LANGOA BARTON

The 2016 Langoa Barton is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc picked between 29 September and 13 October. It is being matured in 60% new oak barrels. It has a very succinct bouquet, with a mixture of black and red fruit, a slight sea spray/estuarine tincture, hints of leather and brown spice in the background. The palate is very harmonious on the entry with a grainy texture. There is good backbone here, maybe just a little foursquare compared to other Saint Julien wines, but it gathers pace towards the finish that displays touches of spice and cedar. Understated and classic Langoa. Drinking range: 2022 - 2045 Rating: 91-93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2017)

Exceptionally dark purple. Very meaty, concentrated nose with real lift. Lots of graphite and grit. No spare flesh but truly terroir wine. Sinewy. Bone-dry finish. Very much in its own style. But long and precise. Drinking range: 2027 - 2045 Rating: 17.5 Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2017)

The fresh blueberry, cherry and black currant flavors give this a wide range, while racy graphite and a mouthwatering anise streak drive the finish. The fruit is so enticing that you lose track of how solidly built this is through the finish. Rating: 93-96 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2017)

This is really structured with great depth and power. Full body, chewy tannins, lots of fruit and a tangy, fresh finish. Solid. Rating: 94-95 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2017)

This is a controlled, confident and elegant demonstration of the appellation in this vintage. Coffee grounds on the nose and through the mid palate with tight, cassis-drenched fruits, cedar and menthol, ticking those St-Julien boxes. Drinking range: 2027 - 2050 Rating: 94 Jane Anson, Decanter (Apr 2017)

The 2016 Langoa Barton is soft, pliant and absolutely delicious. Succulent red cherry, rose petal, lavender, mocha and sweet spice fill out the wine's mid-weight frame effortlessly. Succulent and inviting, the 2016 is terrific today. The 2016 is marked by its energy and freshness, much of that the result of the Cabernet Franc, which is on the higher end of the range by historical standards. Rating: 90-93 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2017)

Often more approachable in its youth than stable mate Léoville-Barton, Langoa has a lovely brightness and poise in 2016, with the Merlot and Cabernet Franc contributing texture and aroma. Sappy and floral, with graphite and green pepper notes, and an overlay of oak that will integrate over the next few years. Drinking range: 2026 - 2034 Rating: 93 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Apr 2017)

The 2016 Langoa-Barton has a minty-fresh bouquet with plenty of black fruit; hints of pencil shavings and loamy elements develop with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fleshy and generous, but I was expecting more detail and terroir expression to show on the chewy, pastille-like finish. Very fine, although I suspect there will be melioration in bottle. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting. Drinking range: 2024 - 2045 Rating: 91 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Dec 1899)