Château Langoa Barton 2012

With seductive freshness, elegant and refined, with supple tannins, a floral finish with notes of tea: for lovers of this wine, one of the most accessible and amiable vintages.

Plenty of juicy blackcurrant fruit and background oak are present in this plump, medium- to full-bodied, ripe, well-made wine. Not nearly as tannic as I feared, this wine shows a forward plumpness, excellent purity, texture, and length. Drink it over the next 15–20 years.

This has a juicy energy weaving amid the core of anise, blackberry coulis and warm plum notes. Shows a brambly edge on the relatively open-knit finish, with a hint of licorice snap. This has pulled together nicely since the barrel tasting. Drink now through 2020. 6,250 cases made.

Fine depth of fruit, with suppleness and charm.

Pretty dried cherry, vanilla and berry character on the nose and palate. Full to medium body, fine tannins and a flavorful finish. A little fluid. Needs two or three years to come together.

Dark crimson. Some notes of coffee and chocolate-covered cherries – both fruit and oak sweetness. Finely balanced on the palate, the fruit fully ripe but still fresh, the tannins and acidity framing the whole. Very satisfying. (JH)

The 2012 Langoa-Barton has an open-knit bouquet with red fruit and ember, almost ash-like scents, gradually offering a little more cohesion. One of the more opulent Saint-Juliens on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chewy tannins. Fleshy, nicely balanced, approachable, with a spicy kick toward quite a substantial finish, this Langoa wears its heart on its sleeve and shows wonderful tension throughout. Tasted twice at Bordeaux Index’s Ten Year-On tasting and blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.

There is a strictness to this classically styled wine that could soften with age, as the crisp blackberry and tobacco-tinged wine develops.

Classic structure, red and dark berries, herbs, slightly restrained palate, medium weight, good length but a bit tight.

Dark garnet, fairly dense in the middle, ruby rim. Gorgeous roasted bouquet, cedar, Dominican tobacco, finely peppery, ripe Cabernet Sauvignon. The extract comes with a generous dose of flesh, supple tannins with good reserves. A solid performance. This year, it is almost superior to the Barton from the same house.

Dark garnet, fairly dense in the middle, ruby rim. Gorgeous roasted bouquet, cedar, Dominican tobacco, finely peppery, ripe Cabernet Sauvignon. The extract comes with a generous meaty core, supple tannins with good reserves. A solid performance. This year it is almost superior to the Barton from the same house.

Aromatic, sweet, powerful bouquet: four-fruit tea, black cherries, red plums, vanilla. Velvety, medium-bodied palate with good fruit, fine tannins, silky structure, powerful sweet aromatics, fresh, long finish. 17/20 2018 - 2035

The 2012 Langoa Barton is medium to deep garnet colored. It features notions of warm cassis, Morello cherries, and dried roses with hints of fallen leaves, mossy tree bark, and cloves. The medium-bodied palate has compelling tension and energy, with ripe, fine-grained tannins supporting the generous fruits, leading to a long and perfumed finish on this beautiful wine.

Full of tenderness and nuance, yet without lacking body. Perfectly evolved and practically ready to drink.

Langoa-Barton is a dense wine, slightly herbal, with good length, firm tannins and lovely concentration. A bit of patience will be required.

Highly approachable, the wine stands out for its open, expressive character. Inviting notes of licorice and black berries are followed by hints of gingerbread and graphite. With creamy tannins that deliver breadth and power, Langoa-Barton 2012 is at peak maturity while still having enough substance to spend time in the cellar. Given its form, the only risk it faces is being drunk! What more could you ask for? You just need to have enough of it…

Dark colour of medium intensity. Fruity, fresh, aromatic nose. Round, rich, flavourful palate, very fruity on the mid-palate. Sappy, tasty finish. Good length.

Classic, signature Langoa, with evident sandalwood and cedar smoke on the nose, coupled with violet, peony and rose petal notes, fresh acidity from juicy blackberry and raspberry fruit. Still plenty of grip, suggesting you can start drinking it today, but it should improve further over the next 2 to 3 years, and then age well for several decades. Enjoyable. Technical director François Brehant, consultant Eric Boissenot.

92–94. Barrel sample. There's great concentration here, on this powerful wine with very dry structure and dark character. The palate hints of a more perfumed character with fine fruitiness and lingering freshness on the finish.