Langoa-Barton in Saint-Julien is one of the nicer châteaux of Bordeaux wine country.
It’s balanced and elegant, like the wines that it produces, which are also as charming as its owners – formerly Anthony Barton and nowadays his daughter Lilian, both of whom I’ve met several times over the years.
Langoa is made cheek by jowl with Léoville Barton, though was not chateau-bottled until 1969. It was instead bottled in the Bordeaux cellars of Barton & Gustier.
The 2001 Château Langoa Bartonwas overshadowed by the mighty 2000 but it’s a much better vintage than many people might think. The ’01 was harvested a bit later than the 2000 and has a bit more Cabernet Sauvignon in it, with a dash of Cabernet Franc too.
All the Langoa here has gone but we do have some nice vintages of Léoville: 1983, 1989, 1990, and 1992.
The two Barton wines are invariably well-priced and a wonderful drink for your money (as my colleague Madeline agrees).
