Château Langoa Barton 2009

Very dense and still rather reserved, with dark blueberry, blackberry and fig notes rolled together, framed by freshly brewed espresso and Black Forest cake notes. Long and tarry through the finish, with a melted licorice snap note hanging on at the very end. Best from 2014 through 2030. 10,000 cases made.

A rich and fleshy wine, yet it remains decisively dry. Attractive blueberry aroma and impressive supple tannins make this very harmonious. If it was slightly brighter on the nose, this would rate even higher. Drink now. (Horizontal Tasting, London, 2019)

The best vintage until 2022 has really come on strong. Full-bodied, rich and intense, yet subdued, classic, and packed with cedar, mint, black and red fruits, dusty tannins and tobacco. There is length and tons of fruit in the finish that keeps on going. Drink from 2023-2045.

Dark ruby garnet colour with purple reflections, delicate brightening on the rim. Fresh blackberry notes, a hint of cherries and orange zest, inviting bouquet. Juicy red berries on the palate with fine fruit sweetness, round tannins, fresh acidity, a finesse-rich, stimulating food wine. Already accessible.

Inky dark fruit, some vanilla, wood, coffee beans, blackcurrant, dark plum, tobacco notes; the palate is inky, dark and concentrated, yet in a rather classic and elegant style with nice ripeness and great purity of fruit; very long, clean finish; big potential.

Extremely dark purple with lilac and violet highlights. Very dense, fleshy bouquet, plenty of truffle-tinged Cabernet, licorice and tar nuances, topped by a subtle hint of dried banana. Somehow, the new Langoas are becoming more refined. This one displays a wealth of finesse such as a Barton still had about ten years ago and, especially compared with other pricey Grands Crus, represents outstanding value.

Extremely dark purple with lilac and violet highlights. Very dense, fleshy bouquet, showing plenty of truffly Cabernet, licorice and tar nuances, with a fine hint of dried banana on top. Somehow the new Langoas are becoming more refined; this one at least has as much finesse as the Bartons had 10 years ago. Considering what other crus will be asking this year, this is a great Grand Cru value.

Sweet, deep, aromatic, creamy bouquet with blue and black berries, currants, tobacco, cedar and plums. Dense, velvety, fresh, elegant palate with powerful fruit, good tannins, a velvety, dense structure, and a bold, sweet aromatic profile with graphite and truffle. Very long, full, dense, fresh finish. Can improve further. 18/20 2017 - 2035

Lovely aromatics, welcoming and enticing. A little more reserved on the palate than you might expect, this could do with a good long carafe if drinking now, to fully maximise the brambled blackberry fruits, star anise, cinnamon and tobacco leaf. Anthony Barton director at the time, working alongside his daughter Lilian.

True to its style, it offers a graceful yet deep palate, with very fresh fruit and fine tannins. Already very seductive.

Highly aromatic. Dense, ripe, a splendid mid-palate, complete, fine tannins, great length, harmonious.

Superb bouquet, complex and of good intensity. On the one hand, it reveals a ripe, approachable side and, at the same time, it shows freshness through hints of mint, while a graphite note underlines the terroir. On the palate, the wine is broad, creamy, and perfectly balanced. Its tannins are silky yet powerful. They promise several more long years for this very fine achievement. Fruity, persistent finish in which the aromatic characteristics return.

Logo on the capsule: LBG Dark, beautiful, deep purple color. Superb creamy nose—fresh, ripe, vanilla‑tinged, smoky, and complex. A tender, melting, airy palate and, above all, distinctly hedonistic. The wine does become a touch tannic in the second half, but its creamy note overlays this tight framework. This slight grip suggests that this cru could go even further in brightness and precision of the tannin grain. That said, 2009 is a fine success.

94-96 Barrel sample. Lots of new wood here, maybe too dominant. But it is a stage, because the fruit weight is also there to give a wine of considerable complexity, dry and solid.