"90 Points, Robert Parker: "Another sleeper of the vintage from this somewhat under the radar step-child of Anthony Barton’s more famous Leoville Barton, the 2004 Langoa Barton exhibits deep, concentrated, chunky, black currant and cherry fruit intermixed with notions of forest floor and aged beef blood. This impressive, full-bodied, powerful, ageworthy St.-Julien is atypically backward and brooding. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2025+.""
Hugh Barton, already a Bordeaux wine merchant, was obliged to leave France at the time of the French Revolution in 1793. He returned to Ireland, his native country, but remained in touch with his French associates and in 1821 bought Château Langoa, which was classified a third growth in 1855.
Four generations later, in 1929, Ronald Barton inherited the vineyard. Once again a Barton was forced to leave France; Ronald Barton was a British subject and therefore unable to remain at Langoa during the German occupation of 1940. He returned to his vineyards in 1945 and in 1983 handed the property over to his nephew Anthony Barton.
He in turn has divided the shares with his daughter Lilian Barton-Sartorius and her children Mélanie and Damien who represent the seventh and eight generations at Langoa. ©ugcb
