The frost, which hit April 26 and 27, resulted in a dramatically reduced crop—about 40 percent of the previous year, overall. But that number is skewed, as some areas of Bordeaux actually produced as much or more in 2017 than they did in '16. The frost was most severe on the Right Bank, particularly the lower-lying areas around St.-Emilion and into Entre-Deux-Mers, where the crop was clipped by more than half, on average, while some producers lost everything. On the Left Bank though, particularly farther up in the Médoc, areas where the Gironde plays a key moderating influence such as Pauillac and St.-Julien were unscathed.

Following the frost, May was particularly warm and dry, a trend that continued into June with a heat wave occurring June 18 to 22. July followed with cooler temperatures and needed rains, slowing down the ripening process and ameliorating any maturity blockages somewhat. The harvest was still on the early side, and growers needed to wait for phenolic ripeness to match the fast-rising sugar ripeness caused by the warm summer. 

Those that survived the frost unscathed made the most of the favourable conditions during the rest of the growing season. That includes most of the best Cru Classé properties along the river.

Despite several Châteaux not declaring a vintage in 2017, the wines of Sauternes & Barsac should be excellent however, there won't be much to go around .. If you are a sticky fan, grab a case when you can!

Château Langoa-Barton

The history of Langoa and Leoville Barton is the history of a family who have managed to preserve their inheritance for more than 2 centuries. 
From one generetion to another the wines produced by the two properties have maintained the quality of their classification, offering wines at the very top of their appellation. Anthony Barton was born at Straffan House in Co. Kildare (Ireland) in 1930. He was destined to inherit little or nothing of the family estates. His elder brother Christopher was heir to Straffan and the vineyards in France were owned by his Uncle Ronald who would normally have married and had his own children to whom he would naturally have left his property. Although Ronald did marry late in life he had no children and Anthony thus became his heir. After studying in England, Lilian started her working life in a bank in Bordeaux, then went to work for 2 years in a Hong Kong shipping company “Les Chargeurs Réunis ». In 1978, aged 22, Lilian joined her father in the business of trading. Since then, they divide responsibilities: Lilian manages trading activity "Les Vins Fins Anthony Barton," which has joined her husband, Michel Sartorius, and Anthony takes care of the vineyards. Lilian is now the face of Châteaux Langoa and Leoville Barton.

2017 Château Langoa-Barton
3rd Growth Saint-Julien
57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc

At the time of the 1855 classification Langoa Barton, 3rd Grand Cru in Saint-Julien, were already owned by the Barton family. They share with only Mouton-Rothschild’s owners, the privilege of a long family continuity.
The 17 hectares of Langoa, planted in gravelly soil with a clay sub-soil, include large proportions of old vines in order to obtain the best possible quality. The grape varieties for Langoa Barton’s terroir is shared with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
The wines are typical of the Saint-Julien area, well balanced wines with subtle bouquets and flavours; the emphasis being on elegance and finesse rather than on power and extraction.
 

£195.00 per 6 x 750ml (IB)

"The 2017 Langoa Barton was picked from 15 to 18 September with respect to the Merlot and from 22 to 29 September for the Cabernets, matured in 60% new oak. It has a ripe, brine-tinged bouquet, not complex compared to previous vintages, but pure and developing light smoke and truffle scents with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with quite sharp tannin to create a tensile Langoa-Barton, saline with moderate depth, just a touch of pencil lead that surfaces towards the finish. It is exactly what I expected, which is a good thing given the track record of this Saint-Julien"
Neal Martin (Vinous.com) - 90-92 pts