Château Léoville Barton, 2ème Cru Classé, St Julien, 2008
Perfumed black fruit liqueur with hints of tayberry, loganberry and blueberry. Concentrated and very seductive, the 2008 Leoville Barton has spectacular structure and concentration. Although robust, this possesses lacy, fine tannins. Another brilliant effort from Anthony Barton.
critic reviews
One of only three estates (and two owners, as the Bartons had owned both this and Langoa Barton for three decades by 1855) to be part of the same family now as at the time of the ranking, this is an essential estate to include in any commemorative tasting. Hugh Barton was the family member who ushered in its 2nd Growth status, and this 2008 more than bears out why it deserved it. Approaching its third decade, and in a vintage that was good but not sterling, this is still muscular, and benefits from a short carafe. 70% new oak, Hugh Barton 1855.
The 2008 Léoville Barton has a lovely, heart-warming bouquet of ripe blackberry and cedar, touches of graphite, precise and supremely well focused. Classic Barton. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and lively with impressive density; structured with a firm backbone on the graphite-tinged and tensile finish that suggests that it deserves another 3-4 years in bottle. Excellent. (Tasted at BI Wine & Spirit’s annual 10-Year On tasting.)