No Bordeaux classed growth has been in the hands of the same family longer than Langoa Barton; it was purchased by Thomas Barton in 1821. Of course, Leoville Barton followed into the family stable soon after, and both properties are now on their eighth generation of Bartons, with Damien Barton now working beside his sister Melanie and their mother Lilian. The two properties are inevitably defined against each other. The Leoville Barton vineyards lie in the north of St-Julien, between the chateau and the river. The style at Leoville Barton always leans towards a classic, old-school St-Julien style. power with elegance. The Langoa Barton vineyards lie in the south of the appellation, on cooler, gravel-rich soils, often facing north; this cooler terroir tends to lend the wine a more restrained, red-fruit profile.

There has been a big change for both these properties in their new, shared winemaking facility. Where previously they were being vinified in 200 hectolitre vats, there is now a diverse range of vat sizes (80, 120, 150 and 200hl), permitting a much more plot-by-plot approach to vinification. That translates into more precision in the winemaking. (NT 10/08/23)