1998 Château Langoa-Barton
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Tasting notes
You can feel how much tannin there was in this in its youth, and it retains density and structure. You can also feel the warmth of the vintage in the ripe Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blackberry and bilberry fruits, with touches of austere cherry pit and cassis stem. As it opens, soft violet flowers curl out of the glass. Good quality, will improve further and hold for another decade at least. Michel Raoul technical director.
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Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 1998 Langoa Barton is one of my favorite vintages from this château and arguably one of the years when Langoa actually outperforms Léoville. Offering up rich aromas of cassis and plummy fruit mingled with cigar ash and loamy soil, along with just a touch of grilled meats that dissipate in the decanter, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, with ripe tannins and an ample core of fruit. Unusually seamless and complete, this is a compelling Langoa that demonstrates that there are terrific wines in 1998 in the Médoc, as well as in the Graves and on the Right Bank.
The 1998 Langoa Barton is a wine that I have not tasted since just after bottling. It has a curious menthol tincture on the nose that lends it a slightly medicinal personality. Underneath lies pencil lead and autumn leaf scents, though there is sufficient fruit to back that up. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, quite fresh in the mouth, maybe a little simplistic but with freshness towards the minty finish. Fine. Tasted at the château.
About the producer
Hugh Barton purchased this estate, alongside Second Growth Ch. Léoville Barton, in the 1820s. Classified as a Third Growth and run by Lilian Barton with her children Damien and Mélanie today, the 20 hectares of vines produce some of the appellation’s most elegant wines – and at reasonable prices.