Chateau Langoa Barton (Copyright Furax)
You find Leoville and Langoa Barton on the famous D2 road called "Rue des Chateaux". After you pass Beychevelle on the left side of the road and Branaire on the right, coming from Bordeaux, you continue straight, and after a few kilometers, you enter the village of Saint Julien. Soon you see the signs, Leoville and Langoa Barton. Leoville Barton is the first Leoville you will see, as the other two (Las Cases and Poyferre) are app. 1 km distance north.
Bartons came to Bordeaux from Ireland in 1772, created the negociant company Barton & Guestier (still operating today), and in 1821, they purchased the chateau and vineyard in Saint Julien, which they named Langoa Barton. Shortly after, they acquired another vineyard neighboring Langoa and called it Leoville Barton. However, this vineyard didn't have a chateau nor winemaking facilities. Therefore, both Leoville Barton and Langoa Barton are made at last mentioned. They were classified as 2nd, respectively, 3rd Growth in the 1855 classification.
Both properties overlook Gironde river banks and ensure a stable microclimate and minimal risk of frost affecting their vineyards. Classic principles vinify both without modern gimmicks. You'll not experience a high level of alcohol here - it barely exceeds 13% here. Both are aging in 60% new oak for 16 to 18 months. Leoville Barton covers 47 ha of vines, while Langoa covers 25 ha.
Both wines are classic and stylish cool-climate Bordeaux wines made for long-term storage. Langoa is more elegant than Leoville because of the larger percentage of Merlot in the blend (18% versus 38%).
One important thing - both wines are more than reasonably priced!
Lilian Barton Sartorius is speaking to an audience of administrative staff and harvesters on the occasion of Gerbaude lunch, which symbolises the end of the 2019 harvest. It took place on October 10, 2019.
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2022 Leoville Barton (barrel sample) 97p
Tasted in April 2023. More than three-quarters of the blend is C. Sauvignon. 14.1% alcohol. Intense blackcurrants. Graphite and leather. Sappy, acidity, strong structure, solid backbone, vibrant, great complexity, and length. Refined and sophisticated touch. Lingering finish. Excellent wine.
2021 Leoville Barton (barrel sample) 93-94p
Tasted in April 2022. 84% C. Sauvignon, 11% Merlot and 3% C. Franc. 13.12% alcohol. Full, intense redcurrants. Tobacco leaves and leather. Sappy, strong structure and backbone, vibrant, great complexity and length. Refined and sophisticated touch. Lingering finish. Excellent one.
2020 Leoville Barton (barrel sample) 96-97p
Tasted in May 2021. 85.5% Cabernet Sauvignon + 14.5% Merlot. A detailed and refined nose of high-quality blackcurrants mixed with tobacco and mint. Sophisticated and stylish, dense and multi-layered. Great complexity, structure, and length. A pin-point traditional St.Julien wine which can last for many decades. Upper-class stuff!
2019 Leoville Barton (barrel sample) 96p
Tasted in June 2020. 84% Cabernet Sauvignon + 16% Merlot, 13.88% alcohol, 60% new oak. A detailed and refined nose of high-quality blackcurrants, striking complexity, and multi-layered. Great complexity, structure, and length. No modern vinification frills here! This property always delivers classy wine to keep for several years. A great effort.
2018 Leoville Barton 97p
Tasted four times - last time in December 2020. Consistent notes. 82% CS + 18% M. 13.08% alcohol. 82% Cabernet Sauvignon + 18% Merlot. A detailed and refined nose of high-quality blackcurrants mixed with tobacco and mint. Sophisticated and very stylish, striking balance and multi-layered. Great complexity, structure, and length. A pin-point traditional St.Julien wine which can last for many decades. No modern vinification frills here! Upper-class stuff!
2017 Leoville Barton 94p
Tasted twice - last time in October 2019. Consistent notes. 93% CS + 7% M. 13% alcohol. Elegance and finesse here, lighter and softer than in 2018 and 2016. Seductive with a smooth, fruity finish. Tasty. Splendid effort for the vintage.
2016 Leoville Barton 96p
Tasted three times - last time in October 2019. Consistent notes. An identical percentage of CS and M as in the 2015 vintage. More aristocratic than 2015, more stylish too, silkier, with great complexity and structure, great depth and length. Sophisticated and rich. Impressive stuff.
2015 Leoville Barton 95p
Tasted three times - last time in October 2019. Consistent notes. 86% CS + 14% Merlot, and only 13% alcohol. Strong, meaty, fleshy, perfectly ripe fruit and tannin, great complexity and style. Textbook Saint Julien wine.
2013 Leoville Barton 89p
Tasted in October 2019. Not the vintage to be remembered for a long time. Fruity and tasty wine here that should be consumed quickly before it reaches its 10th birthday. Easygoing wine with attractive fruit.
2012 Leoville Barton 93p
Tasted in September 2019. Incredibly captivating wine with lots of lush, tasty, and well-defined fruit, deliciously soft tannin, and the splendid aroma of blackcurrants and violets. This is 100% Bordeaux, and this wine will make customers thrilled in the restaurant!!
2011 Leoville Barton 90p
Tasted in September 2016. Surprisingly quite forward in development, drinkable, round and charming, sweet cherry fruit and tasty tannin. Very, very attractive wine.
2007 Leoville Barton 88p
Tasted in September 2013. It is a charming, attractive and charming wine with good stuffing, light fruit and tannin, and a soft finish. Very enjoyable to drink right now.
2006 Leoville Barton 92p
Tasted in September 2013. Better ripeness of fruit, better structure and longer on the palate than in 2007. Relatively well-integrated tannin and delicate balance. Complex. Fine effort.
1985 Leoville Barton 95p
Tasted in November 2015. Dark in colour, powerful, blackberry/blueberry compote, firm tannin to support the fruit, Sheer power here instead of elegance and finesse, with a sophisticated touch. This wine is a beast, and it will probably keep it without problems for another 20 years.
1943 Leoville Barton 93p
Tasted in May 2020. From magnum. A wonderful display. Noble nose, aromatic cherries on the nose and cherry taste, well-preserved and elegant wine. It still has some years left in the tank.
1940 Leoville Barton 95p
Tasted in May 2020. Fresh cherry nose, still spanking around, well-knitted, well-balanced, truffles, very complex, and persistent finish. This badass wine seemed to have kept astonishingly well!
1934 Leoville Barton 96p
I tasted this wine in October 2021. It was showing exceptionally well. Vibrant and energetic, with great elegance and finesse, the acidity was still intact. It’s very well done for an 87-year-old wine. I’m proud to reward it with a high score.
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2022 Langoa Barton (barrel sample) 94p
Tasted in April 2023. C. Sauvignon is more than half of the blend. 14.2% alcohol. A softer version of its sister property, Leoville Barton. A bit less concentrated and with a shorter aftertaste. Superb quality, anyway.
2021 Langoa Barton (barrel sample) 92p
Tasted in April 2022. 61% C. Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 3% C. Franc. 13.03% alcohol. A softer version of its sister property, more round and accessible. Elegant and finesse. Superb quality.
2020 Langoa Barton (barrel sample) 94+p
Tasted in May 2021. 53.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 8.5% Cabernet Franc. 13.5% alcohol. Sister property to Leoville Barton and similar to her big "sister" in terms of quality. Big scaled on the nose and palate with creamy blackcurrants, graphite, fat tannin, strong backbone, and striking complexity. Classy stuff.
2019 Langoa Barton (barrel sample) 94+p
Tasted in June 2020. 67% Cabernet Sauvignon + 26% Merlot + 7% Cabernet Franc, 13.92% alcohol, 60% new oak. Dense blackberries on the nose, sappy and well-assorted on the palate, with many layers to take from. Impressive structure and length. Sweet tannins and silky fruit. Delightful stuff!
2018 Langoa Barton 94p
Tasted four times - last time in December 2020. Consistent notes. 63% CS + 28% M + 9% CF. 13.85% alcohol. 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc. Sister property to Leoville Barton. It is not that different from her big "sister" in terms of quality. Big scaled on the nose and palate with creamy blackcurrants and some graphite, fat tannin, strong backbone and unique complexity. Classy stuff as well.
2017 Langoa Barton 92p
Tasted twice - last time in October 2019. Consistent notes. 54% CS + 38% M + 8% CF. Fresh, elegant and seductive, quite fleshy and complex. Tasty blackcurrants. Excellent winemaking here.
2016 Langoa Barton 93+p
Tasted twice - last time in October 2019. Consistent notes. 55% CS + 37% M + 8% CF. Fresh, noble and aristocratic, silky texture, sophisticated with great complexity and length. Simply fabulous wine.
2015 Langoa Barton 93p
Tasted twice - last time in October 2019. Consistent notes. 54% CS + 38% M + 8% CF. Red fruit, aromatic, silky, complex, seductive, smooth fruity finish. A great style here.
2014 Langoa Barton 91+p
Tasted in October 2019. A bit austere with aromatic black fruit, strong backbone, fine acidity and meaty finish. One to keep for 10+ years.
2009 Langoa Barton 93p
Tasted twice - last time in September 2019. Consistent notes. Sweet nose and palate of ripe blackcurrants and cherries, beautiful, excellent acidity, well-structured and with a long fruity finish. A seductive effort by all means.
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The Barton family purchased Mauvesin in 2011. After purchase, a family name Barton was added to the current name of the property, and all the facilities and chateau have been renovated and modernised. It's situated in commune Moulis-en-Medoc, with 51 ha of planted vines. Mauvesin Barton is the home of the present owner, Lillian Barton Sartorius, her husband, Michel and their children, Melanie and Damien. Melanie Barton Sartorius studied at the wine university in Dijon (Burgundy) and obtained a national oenology diploma. She's very much involved in winemaking at Mauvesin Barton.
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2021 Mauvesin Barton (barrel sample) 87-88p
Tasted in April 2022. Red fruit is spicy, fresh, pleasant and round, tasty, nicely constructed, soft fruit and tannin. Fruity finish.
2020 Mauvesin Barton (barrel sample) 91+p
Tasted in May 2021. Plenty of intense black cherries/blueberries on the nose, vibrant and delicate palate, luscious berries and grained tannin, complex and persistent finish. Fine performance.
2018 Mauvesin Barton (barrel sample) 91p
Tasted in October 2019. 54% M + 39.5% CS + 6.5% CF. 13.56% alcohol. Big scaled wine, very similar to the 2016 vintage here, is more concentrated and complex. Splendid effort.
2016 Mauvesin Barton 90p
Tasted in October 2019. 47% M + 28% CS + 18% CF + 7% PV. 13.5% alcohol. Strong yet playful, fresh, splendid complexity and backbone, meaty finish, tasty raspberries and blackcurrants, well-balanced and pleasing length. Splendid effort.
2015 Mauvesin Barton 90p
Tasted in October 2019. 42% M + 38% CS + 16% CF + 4% PV. Fresh, sappy, juicy, delicious berry fruit, grained tannin, tasty and attractive wine, and a persistently fruity finish. It drinks extremely well.
