The 1998 Langoa Barton is one of my favorite vintages from this chateau and arguably one of the years when Langoa actually outperforms Léoville. Offering up rich aromas of cassis and plummy fruit mingled with cigar ash and loamy soil, along with just a touch of grilled meats that dissipate in the decanter, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, with ripe tannins and an ample core of fruit. Unusually seamless and complete, this is a compelling Langoa that demonstrates that there are terrific wines in 1998 in the Médoc, as well as in the Graves and on the Right Bank.