St-Julien and the Left Bank: Cabernet or Merlot - Quick Wine Tips

When wine experts, aficionados and collectors rave about Bordeaux wines, they’re usually referring to wines from the famed Left Bank.

These wines were already highly sought after in the 19th century. In 1855, Napoleon III asked the chamber of commerce to classify their best wines, in preparation for a World’s fair in Paris.

Of all the producers in Bordeaux, just 60 were given “Grand Cru,” or “Great Growth,” status. Chateau Langoa-Barton is one of them.

The château is located in the Saint-Julien commune, home to 10 other Cru Classé wines. It came to prominence under the Bartons, a family of Irish wine merchants, who purchased it in 1821. The winery is still owned and run by the family, now in their ninth generation.

There are just six primary red grapes used in all Bordeaux, and on the Left Bank the gravel soils and warm ocean breezes are best suited to three in particular. Chateau Langoa Barton grows 40-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes.

With a wine of this caliber, everything is done by hand, from harvesting to barrel aging and clarifying. This one spends 18 months in oak. Premium Bordeaux takes time, which is why it’s so highly regarded.

It also has several high critic’s scores too, which is not surprising. Some experts are already calling the 2018 vintage one of the best in recent history.

I thought this was a powerful, unctuous and heart-warming wine. Full of sweet tobacco, black cherry, licorice and even anise flavors with an almost herbal, minty finish. When a wine is that complex it’s usually a sign that it’s very high quality and can also age for a long time.

There’s your quick Sip on Chateau Langoa-Barton, and hopefully you’ll join us for the upcoming live tasting where we can enjoy it together. Can’t wait to see you there.