The 2012 Langoa-Barton has an open-knit bouquet with red fruit and embers, almost ash-like scents, gradually offering a little more cohesion. One of the more opulent Saint-Juliens on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chewy tannins. Fleshy, nicely balanced, approachable with a spicy kick towards quite a substantial finish, this Langoa wears its heart on its sleeve and has wonderful tension throughout.

Plenty of juicy blackcurrant fruit and background oak are present in this plump, medium to full-bodied, ripe, well-made wine. Not nearly as tannic as I feared, this wine shows a forward plumpness, excellent purity, texture and length.

There's great concentration here, on this powerful wine with very dry structure and dark character. The palate hints of a more perfumed character with fine fruitiness and lingering freshness on the finish.