Vinous - Neal Martin (95)

The 2020 Langoa Barton has a wonderful, precise, mineral-driven bouquet with subtle marine scents (oyster shell and Crustacea) that emerge with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins. Stylistically, it's not unlike the Léoville Barton, though this has more control and tension toward the persuasive finish. Glorious—one of the finest releases in recent years and better than the showing just after bottling. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

The Drinks Business (93-95)

Langoa-Barton (St Julien; 61% Cabernet Sauvignon; 36% Merlot; 3% Cabernet Franc; 13% alcohol; tasted at the UGCB press tasting and at Lagrange with very similar notes). Another wine that is very true to its own style here. Nutty, with a pleasing ripe natural sweetness to the fruit; a little hint of the oak and a trace (but only that) of vanilla and of grated dark chocolate, almonds and frangipane, alongside the dark plump black cherry and bramble fruit – mulberries too. There is good depth and density to the fruit, which is very pure, though I find the mid-palate a little less defined and precise than with the leading handful of wines of the appellation. My second tasting suggests that’s just a little harsh (and I revise my score up a notch). A great mouthful – with sapid gobbets of fresh fruit. Full and rich, bright and tense. Promising in the context of any vintage and very fine indeed in the context of this one.

The Drinks Business (93-95)

Langoa-Barton (St Julien; 61% Cabernet Sauvignon; 36% Merlot; 3% Cabernet Franc; 13% alcohol; tasted at the UGCB press tasting and at Lagrange with very similar notes). Another wine that is very true to its own style here. Nutty, with a pleasing ripe natural sweetness to the fruit; a little hint of the oak and a trace (but only that) of vanilla and of grated dark chocolate, almonds and frangipane, alongside the dark plump black cherry and bramble fruit – mulberries too. There is good depth and density to the fruit, which is very pure, though I find the mid-palate a little less defined and precise than with the leading handful of wines of the appellation. My second tasting suggests that’s just a little harsh (and I revise my score up a notch). A great mouthful – with sapid gobbets of fresh fruit. Full and rich, bright and tense. Promising in the context of any vintage and very fine indeed in the context of this one.

The Drinks Business (93-95)

Langoa-Barton (St Julien; 61% Cabernet Sauvignon; 36% Merlot; 3% Cabernet Franc; 13% alcohol; tasted at the UGCB press tasting and at Lagrange with very similar notes). Another wine that is very true to its own style here. Nutty, with a pleasing ripe natural sweetness to the fruit; a little hint of the oak and a trace (but only that) of vanilla and of grated dark chocolate, almonds and frangipane, alongside the dark plump black cherry and bramble fruit – mulberries too. There is good depth and density to the fruit, which is very pure, though I find the mid-palate a little less defined and precise than with the leading handful of wines of the appellation. My second tasting suggests that’s just a little harsh (and I revise my score up a notch). A great mouthful – with sapid gobbets of fresh fruit. Full and rich, bright and tense. Promising in the context of any vintage and very fine indeed in the context of this one.

James Suckling (96)

Quite a classic wine for this hot and dry year. Excellent depth but also freshness, with convincing ripeness and a very long finish. Just medium to full body, with gritty tannins at the end. The fruit sweetness here is restrained. 60% new oak. Drink or hold.

James Suckling (96)

Quite a classic wine for this hot and dry year. Excellent depth but also freshness, with convincing ripeness and a very long finish. Just medium to full body, with gritty tannins at the end. The fruit sweetness here is restrained. 60% new oak. Drink or hold.

James Suckling (96)

Quite a classic wine for this hot and dry year. Excellent depth but also freshness, with convincing ripeness and a very long finish. Just medium to full body, with gritty tannins at the end. The fruit sweetness here is restrained. 60% new oak. Drink or hold.

James Suckling (96)

Quite a classic wine for this hot and dry year. Excellent depth but also freshness, with convincing ripeness and a very long finish. Just medium to full body, with gritty tannins at the end. The fruit sweetness here is restrained. 60% new oak. Drink or hold.

Wine Advocate (94+)

Notes of cassis, dark berries and cherries mingled with hints of pencil shavings introduce the 2023 Langoa Barton, a medium- to full-bodied, layered and fleshy wine with terrific depth at the core and classic structure rendered with contemporary polish. As readers will remember, the Barton family's new winery now permits for more precise, parcel-by-parcel winemaking as well as gentler handling of the fruit. It's a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc.

James Suckling (92)

Currants and dark fruits with hints of licorice. Full and silky with ripe tannins and berry. Cigar tobacco and berry. Sweet tobacco. This is a wine that shows serious depth of fruit and refined tannins. Better in 2016.

James Suckling (91-92)

A solid red with dark berry and wet earth aromas and flavor. Full body, chewy tannins yet polished and balanced. Serious concentration for the vintage for this estate.

Decanter (94)

Inky in colour and with intense cassis flavours joined by olive paste notes, this has a gorgeous, balanced feel. It needs to be carafed for an hour or two if you are looking to drink it soon, although the tannins are already silky and the concentration on display is pretty seductive. Great stuff, with a menthol blast on the finish, just brilliant value for money. It stands out among the Lalande-Borie vintages and this has got to be the best buy of the lineup.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)

Bruno Borie's Merlot-based Saint-Julien Lalande-Borie is plump, juicy and inviting in 2017. Inky dark blue and purplish berry fruit, spice, licorice, menthol and chocolate are all pushed forward in an easygoing, racy Saint-Julien that will drink well right out of the gate. The 2017 spent 12 months in French oak, 40% of which was new. This is very nicely done and delicious.

Jeb Dunnuck (91-94)

A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Château Lalande-Borie knocks it out of the park in the vintage and has a brilliant, full-bodied style as well as sexy notes of cassis, blueberries, violets, and spice box. With terrific ripeness, notable purity, and a balanced, layered texture, it’s going to drink nicely right out of the gate yet keep for two decades. It appears to be the finest vintage of this cuvée I’ve tasted.

James Suckling (92-93)

This is really well done with focus and precision, showing blackcurrant and blueberry character. Hints of stones. Medium-to full-bodied and linear with a fine-textured finish.

James Suckling (92-93)

This is really well done with focus and precision, showing blackcurrant and blueberry character. Hints of stones. Medium-to full-bodied and linear with a fine-textured finish.

Vinous - Neal Martin (90-92)

The 2020 Le Petit Ducru de Ducru-Beaucaillou, matured in 30% new oak for 12 months, is delineated on the nose with blackberry, wild hedgerow and a discrete marine/estuarine influence. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit and well judged acidity. It displays some "rondeur" towards the finish that suggests it will drink well after just a couple of years, yet there is certainly the substance to guarantee it will age well in the cellar, if you are that way inclined.

Vinous - Neal Martin (90-92)

The 2020 Le Petit Ducru de Ducru-Beaucaillou, matured in 30% new oak for 12 months, is delineated on the nose with blackberry, wild hedgerow and a discrete marine/estuarine influence. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit and well judged acidity. It displays some "rondeur" towards the finish that suggests it will drink well after just a couple of years, yet there is certainly the substance to guarantee it will age well in the cellar, if you are that way inclined.

Jeb Dunnuck (91)

The deeply hued 2021 Le Petit Ducru De Ducru-Beaucaillou (which got some choice lots of Merlot in 2021) is classy stuff, with red and black currants, sappy flowers, medium-bodied richness, ripe, polished tannins, and a supple, layered, elegant profile that has plenty to love.

Jeb Dunnuck (91)

The deeply hued 2021 Le Petit Ducru De Ducru-Beaucaillou (which got some choice lots of Merlot in 2021) is classy stuff, with red and black currants, sappy flowers, medium-bodied richness, ripe, polished tannins, and a supple, layered, elegant profile that has plenty to love.

Jeb Dunnuck (91)

The deeply hued 2021 Le Petit Ducru De Ducru-Beaucaillou (which got some choice lots of Merlot in 2021) is classy stuff, with red and black currants, sappy flowers, medium-bodied richness, ripe, polished tannins, and a supple, layered, elegant profile that has plenty to love.

Discover the exquisite Le Petit Ducru 2022, a paramount embodiment of French sophistication. From the acclaimed Bordeaux region, Le Petit Ducru 2022 is the second wine of prestigious Château Ducru-Beaucaillou. Holding a longstanding reputation for creating exceptional Bordeaux blends, the estate brings together finesse and intensity in the Petit Ducru. Produced under the expert guidance of winemaker Bruno-Eugène Borie, this claret is a masterful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot, raising the bar for refinement and complexity.

This complex vintage boasts earthy undertones, mingling with vibrant black fruit notes, highlighting its superb balance and structure. Grown in Günz gravels, these vineyards' distinctive terroir imparts richness and depth to the wine, while ageing in French oak barrels lends subtle hints of spice and vanilla. Le Petit Ducru 2022 mirrors the meticulous crafting that defines Ducru-Beaucaillou's esteemed heritage, marking a splendid addition to any cellar.

Discover the exquisite Le Petit Ducru 2022, a paramount embodiment of French sophistication. From the acclaimed Bordeaux region, Le Petit Ducru 2022 is the second wine of prestigious Château Ducru-Beaucaillou. Holding a longstanding reputation for creating exceptional Bordeaux blends, the estate brings together finesse and intensity in the Petit Ducru. Produced under the expert guidance of winemaker Bruno-Eugène Borie, this claret is a masterful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot, raising the bar for refinement and complexity.

This complex vintage boasts earthy undertones, mingling with vibrant black fruit notes, highlighting its superb balance and structure. Grown in Günz gravels, these vineyards' distinctive terroir imparts richness and depth to the wine, while ageing in French oak barrels lends subtle hints of spice and vanilla. Le Petit Ducru 2022 mirrors the meticulous crafting that defines Ducru-Beaucaillou's esteemed heritage, marking a splendid addition to any cellar.