Château Langoa-Barton 2013, Saint-Julien

Hugh Barton bought Château Langoa-Barton in the 1820s, several decades before it was declared a Third Growth. It’s where the wines for bigger brother Château Léoville-Barton are produced – but it’s recently undergone a major overhaul. Although from the outside it looks very much the same—and still as understated as the Barton family themselves—inside it is truly state-of-the-art. The Barton wines have been steadily receiving more and more praise over recent years, and the significant investment and upgrades show that the family are intending to continue the trend of improving, vintage after vintage. Earning 92 points from renowned critic James Suckling, this is firm and silky with floral notes and plenty of red- and black-fruit flavour. Its smooth tannins make it a great pairing for fillet steak.