Appellations

Leoville Barton 2021

St Julien, Second Growth

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Tasting Notes

Minerally and racy with a density that is often missing in 2021. Layers of fruit and plentiful but refined tannins. Structured and persistent, the quality of the vineyard appreciable. Fresh and well defined. Good balance. Definite potential.

Score: 17 James Lawther MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2029-2045 Date: 06 May 2022

A medium-bodied red with redcurrant, crushed-stone and earth character, following through to fine tannins and a polished finish. Balanced.

Score: 93 - 94 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 01 May 2022

The 2021 Leoville Barton was picked from 27 September until 7 Octoiber, matured in 60% new oak. The alcohol is 13.12. It has a clean and pure bouquet with blackberry, bilberry, cedar and hints of shucked oyster shell; focused and very well-delinated, classic in style. The palate has a smooth and cohesive entry, very well-knit with beautifully integrated oak. Crisp acidity with the perfect amount of tension on the classically-styled finish, this Leoville Barton demonstrates the advantages of their brand new cellar. I cannot see any reason not to own a few bottles of this in your cellar.

Score: 93 - 95 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2026-2050 Date: 01 May 2022

The 2021 Léoville-Barton is a wine of notable intensity, but all of that power is directed inward. Tightly coiled and vibrant, the Léoville-Barton is going to need time to be ready, but that is to be expected. There is terrific energy here, if not the volume of the preceding three vintages. That's not a problem.

Score: 92 - 94 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2031-2061 Date: 01 May 2022

A terrific success, the 2021 Léoville Barton unwinds in the glass with aromas of blackcurrant, wild berries and plums mingled with hints of pencil shavings, loamy soil and cigar wrapper. Medium to full-bodied, deep and seamless, it's concentrated and tensile, with beautifully refined tannins, lively acids and all the class that an elevated percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon growing in deep gravel can provide. It's the first vintage vinified in the Barton family's new winery, and I suspect that contributes to the ultra-refined quality of tannin this year. The blend is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Tasted three times.

Score: 93 - 95 William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Date: 29 April 2022

St Julien’s location next to the river Garonne saved it from the worst of the frost, and this is one of the best wines in the appellation. It has energy and plenty of depths of fruit to work through, with powerful spice notes of clove, white pepper and turmeric, with the fresh acidities in the cassis and bilberry fruit turned into a prop for propelling things forward through the palate. And even if all this wasn’t the case, this is a wine to buy in 2021 in memory of Anthony Barton, long-term owner and Bordeaux legend, who died in January 2022. 60% new oak. Tasted twice.

Score: 94 Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com Date: 07 April 2022

I continue to love Château Léoville Barton, and their 2021 doesn't disappoint. (If anything, the fresher style favored here played nicely with the vintage character.) Lots of cassis and darker currants as well as crushed stone, graphite, and floral notes emerge on the nose, and it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, pure, elegant tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. It's not going to match the all-time greats here, but it's a seriously good wine in the vintage and I'd be happy with bottles in the cellar.

Score: 92 - 94 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Date: 06 February 2022