Château Léoville Barton, 2ème Cru Classé, St Julien,

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2020 Leoville Barton slowly emerges from the glass with fragrant notes of peonies, cinnamon toast, cedar, Ceylon tea, and fallen leaves, giving way to a core of fresh blackcurrants, black raspberries, and mulberries plus a hint of wet pebbles. The new oak nuances on the medium-bodied palate contribute a cedary character to the vibrant black fruit and earthy flavors and a firmness to the ripe, grainy tannins, supported by a lively backbone, finishing long and perfumed. Still quite tight-knit and primary, give it a good 5-7 years in bottle and drink it over the next 25-years+.

In some ways, the 2020 Léoville Barton has become more serious than when I encountered it from barrel. It's lost its puppy fat and delivers quite intense blackberry, blueberry and incense aromas, a little oak to be assimilated yet still very focused. The palate is medium-bodied with a "coolness" on the entry, taut yet deep with a core of black fruit that lacquers that mouth. It's like a Bentley purring on the finish that is very persistent - an outstanding Léoville Barton.