Château Léoville Barton, 2ème Cru Classé, St Julien, 2017
This is a huge step up from Langoa. We love the style, the restraint and the power; this is a really profound Leoville rippling with elemental Cabernet and classy minerals. Aromas of Kirsch, crème de mûre and fine gravel unfurl from the glass. The palate has such definition - precise, nuanced fruit, such effortless richness and depth - it feels so natural. All the wonderful, giving fruit is framed by this wine's superb tannic structure. They are grand and expansive but coated in ripe fruits. This is a top class Leoville Barton and one of our favourite wines from the Medoc. Excellent! 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot.
critic reviews
The 2017 Leoville Barton is deep garnet in color. It waltzes out with a stunning perfume of redcurrant jelly, warm cassis, and Morello cherries, followed by an undercurrent of peonies, dark chocolate, licorice, and wet slate. The medium-bodied palate delivers a firm backbone of beautifully ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness to support the layer upon layer of fruit and floral notes, finishing with great length and poise. Stunning!
The 2017 Léoville-Barton, which is aged in 60% new oak, is endowed with far more concentration on the nose compared to the Langoa with layers of blackberry, dark plum, violet and orange pith scents that are beautifully defined. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, so fresh and vibrant, silky smooth in texture with a vivid, refined finish. There is a sense of panache about this Léoville-Barton, a fabulous wine for the vintage.