2018 Chateau Langoa-Barton - 3eme Cru Classe St. Julien

*The gap has been closing recently between Langoa and Léoville Barton, but Langoa is not quite keeping up in this vintage. There´s no question that here is a firm, structured, complex and concentrated wine with an effortless St-Julien signature, but the tannins are a touch more foursquare on the finish, not quite as supple and full of life as in 2016. Still, it will be ready to drink sooner and offers tons of pleasure in the glass, so I´m not complaining. 60% new oak.* (93/100)

Falstaff Magazin – 93 pts – PM: *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)* - 02/2021

*The deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Langoa Barton is slightly shy at this nascent stage, revealing wonderfully pure, warm red and black currant scents with nuances of blueberry preserves, chocolate mint, smoked meat and a waft of bouquet garni. Full-bodied, rich and sporting a lot of vibrant, juicy fruit in the mouth, it has firm, rounded tannins and a lively backbone lifting the fruit to a good, long finish.* (92-94/100)

Vinum Magazin – 17/20pts: *Im Heer der hochprozentigen, vollschlanken Weine mag er untergehen, doch mit seinen “nur” 13,5 VP, herrlich abgerundeten, seidigen Gerbstoffen,seiner verblüffende Harmonie en gehört Langoa zu den wenigen echt klassischen Weinen des Jahres. Topbuy!* - 09/2021

WeinWisser – 18/20pts - WL: *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!* – 04/2021

*This has the ripe, intense, racy feel of the vintage, with cassis, plum and blueberry compote flavors, carried by a long graphite spine. A textbook 2018 and a textbook St.-Julien.—J.M.* (93-96/100)

JamesSuckling.com – 93-94pts - JS: * There’s real freshness to the crushed-raspberry and blueberry character of this young red. Medium-to full-bodied and zingy with energetic tannins. Crisp finish. Lovely purity of fruit to this.*

Vinous.com – 92 pts – AG: *The 2018 Langoa Barton is succulent and racy right out of the gate. Inky red fruit, sweet floral notes, cedar and spice all mesh together effortlessly. This mid-weight, pliant Saint-Julien is every bit as seductive as it was from barrel.* - 03/2021