2016 Château Langoa Barton St.-Julien 750 ml

As we walked along the slopes overlooking the Gironde river one hot summer afternoon, the stunning château that famously adorns the Léoville Barton label rose into view. Led by proprietor Lillian Barton, we gratefully retreated into its cool cellars to taste through the esteemed Second Growth château’s signature wines. But the bottling that dazzled us most didn’t bear the name Léoville on the bottle—nor did it bear a triple-digit price.

For those looking to drink the Médoc at its finest—and at an incredible value for a high-scoring Bordeaux—the 2016 Château Langoa Barton Saint-Julien showcases the best the appellation has to offer. This powerful and focused wine left us absolutely stunned from the moment its beautiful aromas of violets and black plums emerged from the bottle. 

This deep purple-ruby wine has exceptional tannins that lead to a “powerful and unwavering finish,” according to James Suckling’s 96-point review. Citing the wine’s “impressive range,” Wine Spectator also raved about its “mouthwatering acidity,” which we feel perfectly balances the rich and expansive fruit on the palate.

We’ve been fans of Léoville Barton for decades, but the 2016 Saint-Julien more than proves that Langoa Barton is ready to share the spotlight with their more famous sibling. Backed by ten generations of knowledge and viticultural savoir-faire synonymous with the name Barton, this is a wine that offers the potential for a long and rich development in your cellar.