2015 CH LÉOVILLE BARTON 2ÈME CRU ST JULIEN - 12x75cl

Tasting Notes

• 

  Goedhuis, April 2016,
  Score: 94-96

  A blackcurrant leaf Cabernet character intensely perfumes the nose. On the palate there are finely formed, abundant tannins. This is an extremely well-built wine with handsome structure, a long, fine finish and a flourish of freshness at the end.

• 

  Neal Martin, July 2019,
  Score: 95

  The 2015 Léoville Barton has one of the richest bouquets in the appellation, boasting almost ostentatious blackberry, raspberry and bilberry scents on the nose, suffused with crushed limestone and light graphite aromas. The medium-bodied palate is taut and crisp, delivering a fine bead of acidity and freshness from beginning to end. Mainly black fruit here, with suggestions of leather and mocha toward the finish. Superb.

• 

  Neal Martin, April 2016,
  Score: 94-96

  The 2015 Leoville Barton is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot picked between 19-22 September and 28 September until 5 October for the Merlot and Cabernet respectively. Matured in 60% new oak, it has a more compelling and intense bouquet than the 2015 Langoa Barton at this early stage, whereas in other years I have found the siblings closer together. It delivers some lovely blackberry, sage and cigar box scents. The palate is very refined with edgy tannin, beautifully balanced with seamlessly integrated oak. It is the classic Léoville-Barton style, full of energy and showing more breeding than the Langoa on the finish. This is just an outstanding, classic, drop-dead gorgeous Léoville Barton that is destined to give immense pleasure over the coming years. Bravo Anthony, Lilian et al.

• 

  Antonio Galloni, April 2016,
  Score: 93-96

  The 2015 Léoville-Barton is superb. Vivid and wonderfully nuanced in the glass, the 2015 offers exceptional purity in its aromas and flavors. As always, the house style favors finesse over pure power, but in 2015 there is a good bit of both. Graphite, pencil shavings and crème de cassis, herbs and mocha meld into a rich, textured, beautifully persistent finish. The tannins are there, but they are nearly buried. Léoville-Barton is not the most powerful or showy Saint-Julien in 2015, but it is class personified. Don't miss it. Tasted two times.

• 

  Robert Parker, Feb 2018,
  Score: 95/100

  Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Leoville Barton offers up notions of warm red currants, black raspberries and dark chocolate with wafts of cigar box, violets and bay leaves. Elegant, medium-bodied and sporting great freshness, the taut, tightly wound palate of intense red fruits and floral accents is well-framed with firm, grainy tannins, finishing on a lingering mineral note. Lisa Perrotti Brown Score 95/100 Drink Dates 2022-2042

• 

  Robert Parker, Feb 2018,
  Score: 95/100

  Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Leoville Barton offers up notions of warm red currants, black raspberries and dark chocolate with wafts of cigar box, violets and bay leaves. Elegant, medium-bodied and sporting great freshness, the taut, tightly wound palate of intense red fruits and floral accents is well-framed with firm, grainy tannins, finishing on a lingering mineral note. Lisa Perrotti Brown Score 95/100 Drink Dates 2022-2042

• 

  Wine Advocate, Feb 2018,
  Score: 95

  Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Leoville Barton offers up notions of warm red currants, black raspberries and dark chocolate with wafts of cigar box, violets and bay leaves. Elegant, medium-bodied and sporting great freshness, the taut, tightly wound palate of intense red fruits and floral accents is well-framed with firm, grainy tannins, finishing on a lingering mineral note. Drink 2022 - 2042

• 

  James Suckling, April 2016,
  Score: 94-95

  A very savory and fruity red with red currant and plum aromas and flavors. Full body, firm backbone of tannins and a fresh finish. A generous and fruity young red. Fruity forward in a reserved way.

• 

  Decanter, April 2016,
  Score: 93

  Fine concentration of fruit and lovely fragrance; quite discreet for this château. The controlled vigour of better vintages has been replaced by classic ripeness, integrated tannins and fine balance.

• 

  Matthew Jukes, April 2016,
  Score: 18+

  (86 Cabernet Sauvignon, 14 Merlot) | 60% new oak. | 13% alc. This is a firmly structured Léoville Barton with feisty tannins and cerebral acidity, making you consider this wine’s trajec¬tory in order to guess at when it will approach its purple period. I venture that we are a decade away because the epic Cabernet here is cool, introverted and contemplative and this means that it is more backward and less initially flattering than many other wines. I expect tasters will underestimate this wine and its potential, but is it the very essence of the estate and it reflects the huge potential of the vintage, too.

• 

  Jancis Robinson, April 2016,
  Score: 17

  Glowing purplish crimson. Very obviously 'sweeter' and chunkier than the Langoa Barton just tasted. But not too much. Full of appeal. And there is masses of tannin here! Lots going on here. Drink 2027-2045

• 

  Tim Atkin, May 2016,
  Score: 94

  Grippy and quite backward - as it often tends to be at this early stage - but this has plenty of fruit power and concentration in reserve, with fine tannins and stylish oak integration. One for the cellar. Drink: 2025-35

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Producer

Château Léoville Barton

One of the great names in classically styled claret, Léoville Barton has been owned by the same family throughout its entire existence - an unheard of rarity in Bordeaux. Their roots can be traced back to 1826, when Hugh Barton bought 50 hectares of vines in the heart of St Julien and subsequently Château Leoville Barton was made a 2ème Cru Classe in the 1855 classification. Today, the Château is run by Anthony Barton’s daughter Lillian and her son Damien Barton-Sartorius. Unusual for the Médoc region, there is no château based on the property. As a result, the wines are vinified and aged at neighbouring Langoa Barton, which as its name suggests, is also owned by the Barton family.