Tasted at Bordeaux Index's annual 10-Year On tasting in London. The 2006 Chateau Langoa Barton has a lifted nose of small dark cherries, blackberry, incense and marmalade - quite showy for Langoa Barton - but there is joie-de-vivre here. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, ripe and demonstrating impressive density plus a firm grip. This really coats the mouth in tannin, although it is still balanced. It just needs another 4-5 years in bottle, the stubborn little lady. Tasted January 2016.

Shows violet and blackberry, with hints of raisin. Full and velvety, with lovely-textured tannins and plenty of ripe fruit on the finish. Balanced and rich. Best after 2013. 4,710 cases made. -JS

Tobacco, cassis and spicy aromatics are easy to find. The wine remains youthful, tannic and firm demanding either a very long decant , or several more years in the cellar.

Expressive fruity nose, touch of cocoa, black fruit, spices, rather open. A powerful wine on the palate, stocky but aromatic. Fine bottle which should rapidly gain in harmony.