Château Léoville Barton, 2ème Cru Classé, St Julien, 2009
77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22.5% Merlot, 0.5% Cabernet Franc. Leoville Barton 2009 is much more masculine and brooding than its exuberant partner (Langoa). Notes of liquorice, bramble fruit and compote fruit are intertwined with violets and cherry blossom. There is serious concentration here with wave after wave of svelte cassis and sweet berry fruit on the palate. Despite the enormous power and structure that this possesses, there is also a haunting quality. This is by no means a monolith; there is extraordinary complexity, beautifully defined tannins, freshness, vibrancy, as well as a peacock's tail of aromas and flavours. Wonderful!
critic reviews
Still young and brooding, this is pure St Julien, pure Barton loveliness. Great quality, juicy, balanced, crayon and cassis, we are right in the heart of the appellation here, but with the intensity and concentration turned up to full. 60% new oak for ageing.
The 2009 Léoville-Barton is one of the few Saint-Julien '09s to suggest just a smidgen of brettanomyces on the nose, although frankly it does not detract from its allure, with lovely meat juice and brown spice aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, juicy and slightly chewier than its peers, well judged acidity with ample density and rondeur towards the finish. It might benefit from another year in bottle but otherwise, this is just a wonderful, life-affirming and disarmingly charming Léoville-Barton. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting.