Chateau Langoa Barton 3eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 2005

70% new oak for ageing, Michel Raoul technical director, Eric Boissenot consultant.

A great classic, still rich and dark in colour at 17 years old, with tannins that are just beginning to allow the fruit to emerge. Powerful, concentrated and intense, with liquorice, cocoa, campfire smoke and cigar box spice. Walking the line, finishing on acidity in the best possible way, juicy and easy to recommend. There is so much St Julien pleasure at a price that makes it one of the bargains of 2005. This is the one to pick if you are choosing between 2005 Léoville and Langoa right now, as Léoville is barely out of the gate.

Drink 2022 - 2040

Rocking stuff, the 2005 Château Langoa Barton has a deep ruby/plum hue as well as medium to full-bodied aromas and flavours of ripe currant and assorted black fruits as well as some classic tobacco, spicy wood, and underbrush notes, with round, mouth-filling, concentrated mouthfeel ripe tannins, and it's a brilliant Saint-Julien to enjoy over the coming two decades.

Drink 2024 - 2044

The Château Langoa Barton 2005 offers plenty of concentration on the nose: blackberries, blueberry, a touch of cedar and tobacco emerging from the glass, opening and gaining intensity all the time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. This is beautifully balanced in the mouth, perhaps just a little conservative, but with great precision and length. It has the freshness and vitality to be approachable now, though I would prefer to leave this for another 4 or 5 years.

Drink 2020 - 2045

The 2005 Langoa Barton is a wonderful surprise. Bright, fresh, and so alluring, the 2005 is one of the under-the-radar jewels of the year. Freshly cut flowers, ripe red berry fruit, mint and blood orange give the 2005 striking aromatic lift and energy to match its mid-weight personality. This classy, polished Saint-Julien is a total delight. I wish I had a case in the cellar.

Drink 2021 - 2040