Chateau Mauvesin Barton AOC Moulis-en-Medoc, 2016

I have long been a fan of the Barton family’s wines – owners of Léoville and Langoa Barton in Saint-Julien. The first Barton, Thomas, arrived in Bordeaux from Ireland in 1725 and was a wine merchant. His grandson purchased Langoa in 1821 and part of the Léoville estate in 1826. In more recent times the family have consistently produced classic wines rather than chasing high alcohol, over-ripeness and Parker scores. And when Bordeaux prices were reaching increasingly lofty levels, the Bartons kept their prices sensible - probably the reason why I have quite a few in my cellar. I happened to be in Bordeaux with Lilian Barton when the news of their most recent purchase – that of Château Mauvesin in Moulis which occurred in 2011 - became public. I was immediately intrigued to see how the wines would improve and I am impressed. The 2016 has some complex notes with plummy fruits and vanilla over a spicy nutmeg background. It is a medium bodied wine, fine in texture with good mid palate fruit and a youthful cherry finish. The Bartons completely renovated the cellar and winery buildings. Grapes are cultivated on 49 hectares on a range of soils with each little plot vinified separately. The wine was matured for 14 months in barrels with one third new, one third old barrels, and one third barrels previously used for Léoville-Barton wines.