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Leoville Barton 2008

St Julien, Second Growth

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Tasting Notes

Bright ruby. Sexy, ripe nose combines cassis, Cuban cigar tobacco, licorice and minerals. Sweet, tactile and intense, with concentrated, sharply delineated flavors of dark fruits and minerals. Densely packed, ripe and deep. Offers a lovely combination of silky texture, firm structure and the aromatic lift and nuance of the vintage's best examples. Should age gracefully for at least 15 years.

Score: 93

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 July 2011

Typically extracted and powerful (which is atypical in a vintage such as 2008), this offering may lack charm, but it is “locked and loaded” with plenty of background oak, huge black cherry and black currant fruit, medium to full body and a boatload of tannin. Forget it for 8-10 years and drink it over the following three decades.

Score: 92

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2019-2049 03 May 2011

Another blockbuster, long-term wine from proprietor Anthony Barton, this 2008 is among the biggest, most back-strapping efforts of the vintage. As with many vintages of Leoville Barton, it is best forgotten for another decade. An inky/purple color is followed by notes of forest floor, camphor, red and black fruits, and a hint of wood. This brawny, masculine-styled St.-Julien possesses huge body, massive concentration, and mouth-searing levels of tannin. However, the tannins are much sweeter than the 2005's were at the same stage, so that should not be an issue as long as potential purchasers exercise patience. This impressively pure, classic Bordeaux should be at its finest between 2020-2050.

Score: 92 - 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2020-2050 30 April 2009

Notably dark in colour. The fruit is sweeter, denser and more cassis-like on the nose than Langoa. Powdery-fine tannins and less rich on the palate than the nose presaged. Finishes dry and a little austere for now.

Score: 16 - 17

Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2014-2022 11 November 2010

Roses, blackberries, currants and wet earth. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and very pretty fruit. Long and juicy. A delicious wine, very balanced.

Score: 90 - 93

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2009

Purplish with a lightish rim. Quite integrated nose. Well balanced. Some savour though no great intensity. Very fine tannins and good balance even if not a very firm imprint of personality. Marked tannins on the finish without a great weight of exciting fruit.

Score: 16 - 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2014-2019 01 April 2009

A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, similar to Langoa this is very ripe and rich on the nose - blackberry, a touch of cedar, fig and Xmas cake. Good definition. The palate is tannic, masculine, good level of ripeness with cedar, blueberry, cassis and blackberry. Very assertive, really lacquers the mouth although I cannot help but think it is a degree too sweet on the prune-tinged finish.

Score: 90 - 92

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 April 2009