Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
75cl * 13.0% ABV * Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France
The Barton family's passion for wine is reflected in the elegance and consistency of Château Léoville Barton. This estate was classified as a 2nd Grand Cru Classé in 1855 and lies within the iconic terroir of Saint Julien in the Médoc. The vineyard is located in the heart of the terroir of St Julien. On one of the most beautiful hilltops of Garonne gravel, facing the Gironde, the clay-gravelly subsoil makes it possible to perfectly regulate the vagaries of the weather throughout the year. Plowing is traditional, without weeding or herbicide.
Always the epitome of Saint Julien and the ultimate "Englishman's Claret". The Barton family traditions continue with Lilian at the helm and her son Damian now taking an active role too. They believe the 2018 to be on a par with 2009, 2010, 2015 and 2016. Pairs beautifully with beef, steak, cheese, chocolate or charcuterie.
"The nose is intense, expressive with hints of menthol, spice and black fruits. On the palate, the flavours of blueberry and blackcurrant are revealed and the hint of white pepper will surprise you. The tannins are delicate and velvety. The wine is straightforward, balanced and its power is exponential." - Chateau Leoville Barton
Drinking window: Now - 2050
"Sweet berries, blackberries, raspberries and violets follow through to a full body with extremely creamy, polished tannins that caress the palate. It’s really long and polished. Gorgeous finish. Drink after 2025." 97 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, March 2021
"A brilliant Léoville, continuing to impress as it has every time I have tasted it. The width and depth of the ripe tannins is matched pace for pace by an elegance to the cassis, bilberry, blackcurrant fruit. As it opens, cocoa bean, smoked earth, charcoal, graphite and woodsmoke come spiralling out of the glass, and this is just gorgeous. Easily one of the wines of the vintage not just in St Julien but across Bordeaux. 70% new oak. Technical director François Brehant, consultant Eric Boissenot." 97 Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com, March 2022
"This estate has been on fire in recent vintages, and the 2018 Château Léoville Barton is up there with the best of them. Based on 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Merlot that was brought up in 60% new French oak, this classic, flawlessly balanced, straight-up awesome Saint-Julien has loads of cassis and mulberry fruits as well as notes of freshly sharpened pencils, leafy tobacco, chocolate, and earth. Rich, medium to full-bodied, and concentrated on the palate, it has building tannins and healthy acidity, yet the fruit is pure, perfectly ripe, and wonderfully integrated with all the wine's components. As is normal with this cuvée, it closes down with extended air and is going to take a solid 8-10 years of bottle age to reach the early stages of maturity. It's going to evolve for 30-40 years in cold cellars." 97 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com, March 2021
"Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Léoville Barton simply sings of crushed black cherries, blackcurrant cordial and wild blueberries with touches of violets, dark chocolate, allspice and cardamom with a waft of stewed tea. Full-bodied, rich and decadently fruited in the mouth, the generous fruit has a solid structure of firm, ripe, grainy tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing long and layered." 94-96 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (April 2019)