Chateau Langoa Barton Saint-Julien (Grand Cru Classe) 2016 750ml
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An icon of balance and tradition, St. Julien boasts the highest proportion of classed growths in the Médoc. What it lacks in any first growths, it makes up in the rest: five amazing second growth chateaux, two superb third growths and four well-reputed fourth growths. While the actual class rankings set in 1855 (first, second, and so on the fifth) today do not necessarily indicate a score of quality, the classification system is important to understand in the context of Bordeaux history. Today rivalry among the classed chateaux only serves to elevate the appellation overall.
One of its best historically, the estate of Leoville, was the largest in the Médoc in the 18th century, before it was divided into the three second growths known today as Chateau Léoville-Las-Cases, Léoville-Poyferré and Léoville-Barton. Located in the north section, these are stone’s throw from Chateau Latour in Pauillac and share much in common with that well-esteemed estate.
The relatively homogeneous gravelly and rocky top soil on top of clay-limestone subsoil is broken only by a narrow strip of bank on either side of the “jalle,” or stream, that bisects the zone and flows into the Gironde.
St. Julien wines are for those wanting subtlety, balance and consistency in their Bordeaux. Rewarding and persistent, the best among these Bordeaux Blends are full of blueberry, blackberry, cassis, plum, tobacco and licorice. They are intense and complex and finish with fine, velvety tannins.
Third Growth. Troisieme Grand Cru Classe in 1855.
Critic tasting note: (2016 vintage) "Kräftiges Rubin. Kräftige Nase, viel Frucht, viel Würze, florale Töne, auch mineralische Anklänge. Im Auftakt knackig, frisch und mit Druck, einiges an Gerbstoff, sehr gute Struktur, noch jugendlich und wild, mit viel Finesse und würzig-rotfruchtigem Finish. Braucht noch ein paar Jahre Kellerruhe. Ab 2026 bis 2045 geniessen." - 94/100, Adrian van Velsen - vvWine.ch
Producer Notes
200 YEARS IN THE HEART OF ST JULIEN 1722 - Thomas Barton left his native Ireland to settle in Bordeaux, founding few years later a wine merchant company - that still bears the name Barton today. 1821 - His grandson, Hugh Barton, purchased Château Langoa, an elegant residence built in 1758. He was seduced by the architecture and its 20 hectares of vines planted in the Saint-Julien appellation. His passion and pride in his wine were only to grow when he saw Langoa awarded the rank of "Third Classified Growth" in the historic 1855 classification. 6 generations later, the Barton story continues with Anthony's daughter, Lilian, and her two children, now writing the chapter of the 10th generation in Bordeaux.
Vineyard Notes
The plots that compose the Château Langoa Barton terroir overlook the river. The splendid slopes of quaternary gravel bring the grapes to full maturity and then they undergo a rigorous selection process before being chosen for the Langoa Barton. The plowing is traditional, without weeding or herbicide. The grape varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon 57%, Merlot 34% and Cabernet Franc 9%.
Harvest Notes: Manual harvest from 29th September to 1st October (Merlot) then from 5th to 13th October
Winemaking
The harvesting is done entirely by hand. After the de-temming, the berries are carefully sorted, crushed and poured in wooden vats thermo-regulated, according to their plots. The alcoholic fermentation lasts from 7 to 10 days and the extraction is always respectful of the juice by adjusting the number of pumping depending on the cuvées and the vintages. The maceration is about 3 weeks then the juice is drawn in barrels, lot by lot. The wines are topped up 3 times a week to avoid any contact between the wine and the air, the racking is traditional using the so-called "à l'esquive" method.
Ageing
The wine is then aged between 16 and 18 months in French oak barrels of which 60% are brand new, in a cellar maintained at 15 °.
Producer Tasting Notes
Ruby / purple color, the intense and complex nose reveals hints of black fruit, brioche bread. The attack is vivid and velvety. The mid-palate enhanced the blackfruit notes, unveiled firstly on the nose and some toasty notes. The wine is juicy and fleshy with elegant tannins. Final on the length.