Chateau Langoa Barton 2016

ANTONIO GALLONI: "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."

DECANTER: "Intense, luxurious, fresh yet also very classically Bordeaux on the nose. Loads of dark berry and currant fruit, allied to a touch of oaky spiciness. Density on the palate but also refined, elegant, and smooth."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, dezente Randaufhellung, mit einem Hauch von Honig unterlegte dezente dunkle Beerenfrucht, tabakige Nuancen. Saftig, kirschig, feine Fruchtsüße, integrierte Tannine, lebendige Textur, bleibt gut haften, sicheres Entwicklungspotenzial."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Beautiful aromas of flowers and berries, intermingled in fresh and brambly mode with a cedary edge. This is very fresh. The tannins carve an exceptionally deep, long line through the dark berries and cassis and deliver a very powerful, unwavering finish. This is in great form. Very powerful and focused. Try from 2024."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Tasted blind. Spicy, intense and interesting on the nose. Now this has the class and intensity of a great wine! Polish and salinity too. Pure pleasure. Long and suave. Lots of minerality."

JEB DUNNUCK: "Another beautiful Saint-Julien, the 2016 Château Langoa Barton reveals a saturated purple color to go with ample black, plummy, cherry fruits that are balanced by notes of scorched earth, licorice, and earth. This sexy, plump, chewy effort doesn’t give up too much elegance, yet it packs tons of fruit, character, and delicious charm. Drink it over the coming two decades or more. The blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and 8% Cabernet Franc, and it’s well worth having in your cellar."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Crisp, fresh crunchy, earthy, bright red berries offer a nice pop. The wine is packed with red, zesty, fresh fruits, ripe tannins and a bouquet of forest floor, cedar, tobacco and cassis. Give this a decade and enjoy the classic ride."

THE WINEADVOCATE: "The 2016 Langoa Barton is medium to deep garnet-purple colored and opens with cedar, red and black currants, kirsch and menthol with smoked meats. The palate is medium to full-bodied, firm, grainy and packed with youthful, energetic fruit, finishing long and perfumed."

WEINWISSER: "55 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 37 % Merlot und 8 % Cabernet Franc. Tiefes Purpur mit violettem Rand. Süsses Waldbeerbouquet, Lakritze und duftige Veilchen, dahinter etwas Kokos und Cassisdrops. Am burschikosen Gaumen zeigt er viel Eleganz und endet mit Brombeere und Strauchnoten. Kann dieses Jahr nicht mit dem «grossen Bruder» aus gleichem Hause mithalten."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Big and packed with spice and smokiness, this wine is full of rich black fruits and juicy acidity. Wood aging adds a light touch of toastiness at this stage but will integrate to give a ripe wine ready to drink from 2024."

WINESPECTATOR: "Sappy and dense, with kirsch, plum reduction, mulled açai berry and warmed fig fruit showing impressive range, while licorice snap, ganache and roasted apple wood notes jostle behind them. Mouthwatering acidity should give this plenty of time to round into form. Best from 2025 through 2040. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 7,667 cases made. — JM"