Château Léoville Barton
Château Léoville Barton
Château Léoville Barton is a Saint-Julien estate, one of just fifteen Deuxièmes Crus (Second Growths) in the original 1855 Classification. Along with Château Léoville-Las Cases and Château Léoville-Poyferré, Léoville Barton was once part of the vast Léoville estate. The estate we now know at Léoville Barton was purchased by Hugh Barton in 1826. It is still owned by the Barton family, who were originally an Irish descent. The current owner Anthony Barton began running the estate in 1983, along with its sister property Château Langoa Barton.
Certainly no dinosaur, the Bartons simply uphold certain principles which transformed Bordeaux into the world’s most important fine wine region whilst embracing advances to improve the quality of their already exceptional wines. Rarely green-harvesting and sticking firmly to a classical St-Julien profile of marrying elegance with power, Anthony Barton’s daughter Mélanie describes the property’s philosophy as “never to over-complicate things”.
Viniculture
Planted to 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, the 51 hectares which constitute Léoville Barton are situated on peyrosols and clay-gravel soils in the increasingly sought-after commune of St-Julien. It was perhaps the Château’s inconsistency in decades gone by that hindered its rise to the forefront of the Bordeaux fine wine scene, but these issues have evaporated after Anthony Barton’s leadership and vintage-after-vintage this historic label is one of the best wines in its class.
Many people don’t know that Léoville Barton actually doesn’t have its own château, and the beautiful façade depicted on its label is actually that of Château Langoa Barton! Léoville Barton's 116 acres (47 ha) of vineyards are located in the central part of the appellation along the Gironde river. The soil composition is mostly gravel with a subsoil of clay. The plantings are 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 8% Cabernet Franc.
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Bordeaux | 1 | 90 (VN (ST)) |
Inc. VAT
£926.47 |
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Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (90)Deep ruby-red. Black cherry, blackcurrant and graphite on the nose. Fresh and intensely flavored; dense and thick for the vintage but with an essential gentleness. Finishes fresh and long, with tannins covered by fruit. Excellent for the vintage. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 98.0 |
Inc. VAT
£1,490.47 |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 94 (VN (NM)) |
Inc. VAT
£1,099.27 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (94)The 2014 Léoville Barton has a crisp, poised bouquet with graphite tinged black fruit, hints of crushed flower and clove, nicely define and gaining definition with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, beautifully judged acidity, sophisticated and poised, fanning out with confidence towards the fresh, energetic finish. This is a succinct and beautifully crafted Saint Julien with many years of drinking enjoyment to give. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 97 (JD) |
Inc. VAT
£589.24 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (97)I absolutely loved the 2015 Léoville-Barton and this has everything you could want from a Left Bank Bordeaux. Cassis, smoked earth, graphite, tobacco leaf, and thrilling amounts of minerality all emerge from this inky colored, full-bodied, power-packed, brut of a Saint-Julien that holds everything together and stays pure, balanced and elegant on the palate. It has a lot of tannins, yet more than enough fruit. The 2015 is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot, brought up in 60% new French oak, and it needs 7-8 years of bottle age and will shine for 2-3 decades. Bravo! |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 97 (WS) |
Inc. VAT
£1,814.47 |
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Wine Spectator (97)This is so vivid as it brims with pastis-soaked plum, blackberry, black currant and blueberry paste flavors, all carried by a perfectly integrated brambly spine. Tar and ganache notes give the finish an extra kick while everything stays within the mouthwatering roasted apple wood frame. Both regal and rambunctious, this is St.-Julien to a T. Best from 2025 through 2040. Top wine of 2019. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 97 (WS) |
Inc. VAT
£679.24 |
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Wine Spectator (97)This is so vivid as it brims with pastis-soaked plum, blackberry, black currant and blueberry paste flavors, all carried by a perfectly integrated brambly spine. Tar and ganache notes give the finish an extra kick while everything stays within the mouthwatering roasted apple wood frame. Both regal and rambunctious, this is St.-Julien to a T. Best from 2025 through 2040. Top wine of 2019. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 96 (VN (AG)) |
Inc. VAT
£549.64 |
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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)Léoville-Barton is one of the very few wines, from any appellation, that combines power and finesse with such grace in 2017. Rich, deep and wonderfully expressive, the 2017 has so much offer. The high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon comes through loud and clear. Inky dark, fruit, game, spice, mint, licorice and lavender all build in a wine of regal elegance and head spinning beauty. For its combination of quality and price, Léoville-Barton remains one the most consumer-friendly wines of the Left Bank. The blend is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot. The September rains were especially challenging for the Merlot and Cabernet Franc. As a result, Cabernet is pushed up in the blend, while there is no Franc at all. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 97 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£916.87 |
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James Suckling (97)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. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 97 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£460.43 |
|||||
James Suckling (97)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. |
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|
Bordeaux | 2 | 97 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£439.24 |
|||||
James Suckling (97)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. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 97-99+ (JD) |
Inc. VAT
£619.24 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (97-99+)The vivid purple, almost blue-hued 2019 Château Léoville Barton is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated wine that includes 16% Merlot. It will spend 18 months in a mix of new and used barrels. Classic Barton notes of cassis, scorched earth, burning embers, new leather, and violets emerge from the glass, and this beauty is full-bodied, massively concentrated, and structured on the palate, yet it has a beautiful elegance as well as a plushness in its texture. Nevertheless, it's not for those seeking instant gratification and is going to need 10-15 years of bottle age to hit maturity. It reminds me of the 1990 and is a great, great wine in the making. If you love Léoville Barton, don't miss this wine! |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 96-97 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£462.04 |
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James Suckling (96-97)A full-bodied red that builds on the palate with lots of blackberry and blueberry character, as well as chocolate. Mineral and graphite undertones. Chewy, yet very integrated. Excellent, as expected. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 93-96 (TDB) |
Inc. VAT
£1,136.47 |
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The Drinks Business (93-96)Léoville-Barton (St Julien; 84% Cabernet Sauvignon; 11% Merlot; 5% Cabernet Franc; 13.1% alcohol; tasted at the UGCB press tasting and at Lagrange with very similar notes). A special vintage here in all kinds of way and a fitting tribute to the legendary creator of the modern history of this property. Graphite rods and pencil-shavings; dark black cherry and raspberry fruit; walnut oil; wild herbs, almost a wild garrigue herbal element. Wonderful sapidity on the long and rolling juicy fresh, cool and chewy finish. Great density and compactness and more delineation and pixilation than Langoa. This seems appropriately endless on the finish |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 93-96 (TDB) |
Inc. VAT
£415.24 |
|||||
The Drinks Business (93-96)Léoville-Barton (St Julien; 84% Cabernet Sauvignon; 11% Merlot; 5% Cabernet Franc; 13.1% alcohol; tasted at the UGCB press tasting and at Lagrange with very similar notes). A special vintage here in all kinds of way and a fitting tribute to the legendary creator of the modern history of this property. Graphite rods and pencil-shavings; dark black cherry and raspberry fruit; walnut oil; wild herbs, almost a wild garrigue herbal element. Wonderful sapidity on the long and rolling juicy fresh, cool and chewy finish. Great density and compactness and more delineation and pixilation than Langoa. This seems appropriately endless on the finish |
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 90 (VN (ST)) |
In Bond
£740.00 |
|||||
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (90)Deep ruby-red. Black cherry, blackcurrant and graphite on the nose. Fresh and intensely flavored; dense and thick for the vintage but with an essential gentleness. Finishes fresh and long, with tannins covered by fruit. Excellent for the vintage. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 98.0 |
In Bond
£1,210.00 |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 94 (VN (NM)) |
In Bond
£884.00 |
|||||
Vinous - Neal Martin (94)The 2014 Léoville Barton has a crisp, poised bouquet with graphite tinged black fruit, hints of crushed flower and clove, nicely define and gaining definition with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, beautifully judged acidity, sophisticated and poised, fanning out with confidence towards the fresh, energetic finish. This is a succinct and beautifully crafted Saint Julien with many years of drinking enjoyment to give. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 97 (JD) |
In Bond
£475.00 |
|||||
Jeb Dunnuck (97)I absolutely loved the 2015 Léoville-Barton and this has everything you could want from a Left Bank Bordeaux. Cassis, smoked earth, graphite, tobacco leaf, and thrilling amounts of minerality all emerge from this inky colored, full-bodied, power-packed, brut of a Saint-Julien that holds everything together and stays pure, balanced and elegant on the palate. It has a lot of tannins, yet more than enough fruit. The 2015 is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot, brought up in 60% new French oak, and it needs 7-8 years of bottle age and will shine for 2-3 decades. Bravo! |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 97 (WS) |
In Bond
£1,480.00 |
|||||
Wine Spectator (97)This is so vivid as it brims with pastis-soaked plum, blackberry, black currant and blueberry paste flavors, all carried by a perfectly integrated brambly spine. Tar and ganache notes give the finish an extra kick while everything stays within the mouthwatering roasted apple wood frame. Both regal and rambunctious, this is St.-Julien to a T. Best from 2025 through 2040. Top wine of 2019. |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 97 (WS) |
In Bond
£550.00 |
|||||
Wine Spectator (97)This is so vivid as it brims with pastis-soaked plum, blackberry, black currant and blueberry paste flavors, all carried by a perfectly integrated brambly spine. Tar and ganache notes give the finish an extra kick while everything stays within the mouthwatering roasted apple wood frame. Both regal and rambunctious, this is St.-Julien to a T. Best from 2025 through 2040. Top wine of 2019. |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 96 (VN (AG)) |
In Bond
£442.00 |
|||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)Léoville-Barton is one of the very few wines, from any appellation, that combines power and finesse with such grace in 2017. Rich, deep and wonderfully expressive, the 2017 has so much offer. The high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon comes through loud and clear. Inky dark, fruit, game, spice, mint, licorice and lavender all build in a wine of regal elegance and head spinning beauty. For its combination of quality and price, Léoville-Barton remains one the most consumer-friendly wines of the Left Bank. The blend is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot. The September rains were especially challenging for the Merlot and Cabernet Franc. As a result, Cabernet is pushed up in the blend, while there is no Franc at all. |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 97 (JS) |
In Bond
£732.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (97)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. |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 97 (JS) |
In Bond
£373.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (97)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. |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 2 | 97 (JS) |
In Bond
£350.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (97)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. |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 97-99+ (JD) |
In Bond
£500.00 |
|||||
Jeb Dunnuck (97-99+)The vivid purple, almost blue-hued 2019 Château Léoville Barton is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated wine that includes 16% Merlot. It will spend 18 months in a mix of new and used barrels. Classic Barton notes of cassis, scorched earth, burning embers, new leather, and violets emerge from the glass, and this beauty is full-bodied, massively concentrated, and structured on the palate, yet it has a beautiful elegance as well as a plushness in its texture. Nevertheless, it's not for those seeking instant gratification and is going to need 10-15 years of bottle age to hit maturity. It reminds me of the 1990 and is a great, great wine in the making. If you love Léoville Barton, don't miss this wine! |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 96-97 (JS) |
In Bond
£369.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (96-97)A full-bodied red that builds on the palate with lots of blackberry and blueberry character, as well as chocolate. Mineral and graphite undertones. Chewy, yet very integrated. Excellent, as expected. |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 93-96 (TDB) |
In Bond
£915.00 |
|||||
The Drinks Business (93-96)Léoville-Barton (St Julien; 84% Cabernet Sauvignon; 11% Merlot; 5% Cabernet Franc; 13.1% alcohol; tasted at the UGCB press tasting and at Lagrange with very similar notes). A special vintage here in all kinds of way and a fitting tribute to the legendary creator of the modern history of this property. Graphite rods and pencil-shavings; dark black cherry and raspberry fruit; walnut oil; wild herbs, almost a wild garrigue herbal element. Wonderful sapidity on the long and rolling juicy fresh, cool and chewy finish. Great density and compactness and more delineation and pixilation than Langoa. This seems appropriately endless on the finish |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 93-96 (TDB) |
In Bond
£330.00 |
|||||
The Drinks Business (93-96)Léoville-Barton (St Julien; 84% Cabernet Sauvignon; 11% Merlot; 5% Cabernet Franc; 13.1% alcohol; tasted at the UGCB press tasting and at Lagrange with very similar notes). A special vintage here in all kinds of way and a fitting tribute to the legendary creator of the modern history of this property. Graphite rods and pencil-shavings; dark black cherry and raspberry fruit; walnut oil; wild herbs, almost a wild garrigue herbal element. Wonderful sapidity on the long and rolling juicy fresh, cool and chewy finish. Great density and compactness and more delineation and pixilation than Langoa. This seems appropriately endless on the finish |