Château Langoa Barton St Julien 1855 3ième Cru 1998

You can feel how much tannin there was in this in its youth, and it retains density and structure. You can also feel the warmth of the vintage in the ripe Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blackberry and bilberry fruits, with touches of austere cherry pit and cassis stem. As it opens, soft violet flowers curl out of the glass. Good quality, will improve further and hold for another decade at least. Michel Raoul technical director.