Chateau Langoa Barton 2018

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Beautifully textured and rich in black-currant flavors and tannins, this is a generous wine. The fruits and the dusty tannins partner each other well giving structure, concentration, a sense of poise and final freshness. Drink this wine from 2026."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Currants, cloves, graphite and cigar box on the nose. Some pine and citrus zest, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, tight-grained tannins. Structured and vivid with plenty of tension. Lovely sweet fruit at the finish. Try from 2025."

WEINWISSER: "Sattes Purpurrot. Betörendes Bouquet mit dunkler Kirsche und reifen Heidelbeeren, dahinter Sandelholz und Schokopastillen. Am festen Gaumen mit fein spröder Textur und körnigem Extrakt, ein echtes Muskelpaket mit herzhaft zupackendem Tanningerüst. Im aktuell verkapselten Finale zarte schwarzbeerige Konturen, hier dominieren würzige Komponenten wie Wacholder, Zedern und eine erhabene Adstringenz. Finger weg und (ab)warten!"

DECANTER: "Ruby red in colour, with clove aromatics. Firm tannic structure, without having the 360-degree reach of the 2016s, but this is an enjoyable, well-balanced and well-judged St-Julien with power but careful extraction. Bright berry fruits, a little austere - at least right now - but plenty of potential. Drinking Window 2026 - 2044"

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Deep in color, the wine shows of its tobacco leaf, smoke, black currant and blackberry character with little effort. Full-bodied, tannic and showy for this normally reticent wine, this is going to demand at least a decade of aging, but as this is the finest example of Langoa Barton I recall tasting, it will be well-worth the wait."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Ripe and focused, with a lovely core of steeped plum, fig and cassis notes laced liberally with graphite and applewood. A violet note chimes bright on the finish. Absolutely rock solid. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2023 through 2036."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Feinwürzig unterlegtes schwarzes Beerenkonfit, dunkle Kirschfrucht, etwas Nougat, kandierte Orangenzesten. Saftig, Herzkirschen, integrierte Tannine, frisch strukturiert, mineralischer Nachhall, ein animierender Begleiter bei Tisch. (2020–2035)"

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2018 Langoa Barton has a deep garnet-purple color and notions of ripe blackcurrants, fresh blackberries and kirsch with touches of bouquet garni, cedar chest and pencil lead plus a hint of crushed rocks. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly styled and refreshing with bright, red fruit and herbal sparks lifting the black fruit and an approachable, chewy texture, finishing savory."

JEB DUNNUCK: "Made by the stellar team at Léoville Barton and a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Château Langoa Barton sports a deep ruby/purple hue to go with a charming, medium to full-bodied, velvety-textured 2018 with terrific notes of red, blue, and black fruits as well as spice box, dried flowers, and a touch lead pencil. It has surprising up-front appeal, with ripe, velvety tannins and nicely integrated acidity, and it's going to shine with just 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for 20+."