Appellations

Leoville Barton 2016

St Julien, Second Growth

GBP Price: Size Quantities Units status Actions
Tasting Notes

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Leoville Barton delivers a superstar nose of crème de cassis, plum preserves and blueberry compote with suggestions of fragrant earth, unsmoked cigars, licorice and cedar chest. Medium to full-bodied, rich and seductive with firm yet velvety tannins, it has a decadently rich finish.

Score: 95 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2021-2046 Date: 30 November 2018

The 2016 Leoville-Barton is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot picked from 29 September until 13 October, matured in 60% new oak and delivering 13% alcohol. It has a more intense bouquet compared to the Langoa-Barton, plenty of intense blackberry and raspberry fruit, minerals, cedar and a hint of licorice. The palate is a little chewy on the entry with good grip in the mouth. This demonstrates the backbone of the finish, just the right amount of spiciness with excellent salinity on the long finish. It is not a once-in-a-lifetime Leoville Barton, but (as usual) it just seems to do everything right. Maybe it's not quite up there with the stellar 2015 Léoville Barton, which I re-tasted at the time, but it is not far off.

Score: 93 - 95 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2026-2055 Date: 28 April 2017

Restrained but textured, a confident delivery of lashings of cassis, bilberry and blackberry fruits. This is an exceptional Léoville-Barton that sacrifices none of its St-Julien signature while delivering a powerful, beautifully sculpted wine. This is a total triumph, my favourite for years at this property.

Score: 96 Decanter, - Maturity: 2027-2050 Date: 20 April 2017

Dark blackish purple. Less obviously aromatic than Langoa. Tea-leaf notes. Round texture with gloriously ripe tannins. Really a standout Barton. So unusually supple! Yet with masses of tannins underneath. This will surely be one of the vintage's longer-living wines. Glorious texture and flavour. Utterly minerally dry, but not drying. Very good freshness - much fresher than many of its peers. Real energy.

Score: 18 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2027-2047 Date: 18 April 2017

This packs some serious punch and drive, with a terrific core of blueberry, açai and plum reduction notes, backed by waves of graphite and roasted apple wood. Has the pleasantly chewy feel typical of St.-Julien, along with an extra-racy graphite edge.

Score: 96 - 99 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Date: 06 April 2017

Tight and chewy with a solid tannin structure and depth of fruit. Full body and lots of depth and texture. A Barton with lots happening already. Develops beautifully on the palate. Should be better than the 2015.

Score: 95 - 96 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 24 March 2017