This morning’s most prestigious release: Leoville Barton 2014 at £430 per 12 IB.
A terrific wine from this famous, trusted and venerable estate in St Julien known for making wines true to their terroir, and always offered at an understanding price to the end user.
The 2014 Léoville Barton was showing brilliantly on the Chairman’s tour in mid April. But I shall leave the comments to Matthew Jukes, from his great new Bordeaux 2014 Vintage Report, as I could not have put them any better myself.
“The mid-palate succulence here gives us a hint of what is to come, but for now this is a statesmanlike Léoville with commanding Cabernet taking the lead and driving relentlessly forward to a very long and rewarding finish. Cassis-driven throughout and very fine and long this is a wine which will move slowly towards maturity, but the tannins at present are not too hard, just dotted along the palate from start to finish. Very exciting, noble and classic, this is a grand wine and not surprisingly it shows the skill of this Château and its glorious situation. 18+. Matthew Jukes”
Here are the full notes:
2014 Ch Léoville Barton 2eme Cru Classé St Julien
£430.00 per 12 In Bond
The late harvest of 2014 has resulted in a very powerful Léoville Barton, which was a little backward when tasted en primeur. There is a real level of concentration here, with some almost “Pauillacesque” power. Very intense with a hint of tannic masculinity; this has excellent aging
potential. Drink: 2024-2035
Score: 91-93. David Roberts MW
The Château Léoville-Barton 2014 is a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc picked between 25 September and 8 October and matured in 60% new oak. This is clearly richer and more opulent than the Langoa Barton with small dark cherries, a touch of boysenberry and cedar, more immediate than its “little sister”. The palate is sweet and sappy in the mouth with concentrated black fruit, hints of liquorice coming through on the finish that fans out with a bit of brio. It does not quite possess the clinical precision of Léoville Las-Cases, but there is certainly a lot of substance and length here. Lilian Barton can rightly be proud of this. Tasted on three occasions. Drink: 2019 – 2040
Score: 92/94 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate (218)
A very fine and linear Barton with bright raspberries and cherries. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and a long, beautiful finish. Sleek and racy.
Score: 92-93 James Suckling
A fabulous wine from this venerable estate, the 2014 Léoville-Barton is super-impressive today. Dark red stone fruits, wild flowers, mint, spices and raspberry all show the inflections of invigorating freshness that are such a signature of the vintage. Hints of creme de cassis, blackberry jam, graphite, brioche, grilled herbs and spice add nuance on an inky finish that gains weight over time. Today, the 2014 is embryonic, but I won’t be surprised if it grows considerably over the coming years. The blend is 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc.
Score: 91/94 Antonio Galloni, vinousmedia.com
Léoville-Barton is more tannic and closed than its stablemate Langoa-Barton at this stage, as it often tends to be, but has the fruit weight and power to emerge from behind the extraction over time. Built to last, this is an ambitious Cabernet-based red of considerable quality. Drink: 2022-35
Score: 94 Tim Atkin MW
Very fine natural concentration of pure Cabernet-dominated vineyard fruit. More closed than Langoa, severe to start with, but a wine of great clarity, depth and class. Fragrance and florality to come – all in balance for a fine future. Drink: 2020-2035
Score: 93 Decanter Magazine
Dark vibrant crimson. Much sweeter and more opulent on the nose than most St-Juliens. Very firm and rich with real savour and glamour. Smooth texture but no shortage of tannins underneath. A long-term wine. Drink 2024-2040
Score: 17.5 Jancis Robinson MW