Chateau Leoville Barton, Cru Classe, 2011

Country: France Region: Bordeaux (Saint Julien)

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot Blend Vintage: 2011  

Colour: Red Style: Dry

Producer: Chateau Leoville-Barton

95 points Wine Enthusiast

 Great swathes of fruit cross the tannic core in this impressive wine. Hints of wood aging peek out from beneath the sumptuous richness and spice. It is ripe, dense and obviously set for long aging. Drink from 2018.  (2/2014)

92 points James Suckling

 A sleek, refined wine with blueberry, mineral and dried-flower character. Medium to full body with firm tannins. Bright and racy.  (2/2014)

92 points Wine Spectator

 This has some slightly rugged grip, with a prominent charcoal frame. Delivers ample flesh at the core, offering plum cake, currant preserves and smoldering tobacco leaf notes, offset by a tangy hint of anise. Should settle in well enough after modest cellaring. Best from 2016 through 2026.  (3/2014)

89-92 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

 Opaque purple-ruby. Spicy coffee and cocoa notes complicate plum and blackberry aromas. Fresh and pure on the palate, with enticing blackberry and mineral flavors that could use a bit more flesh and sweetness. Finishes pure and long, with mouthwatering acidity, chewy tannins and a light herbal quality. This very serious Léoville-Barton will make an austere drink if it doesn't develop more fruit and flesh. (5/2012)

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

 Firmly structured, dense and medium-bodied with moderate tannin, this austere and backward yet well-endowed 2011 needs 5-7 years of bottle age. Whether the fruit holds up to the tannic structure remains to be seen, but the dark ruby/purple color, purity and impressive depth as well as concentration augur well for future positive development. Forget this 2011 for 5-6 years and drink it over the following 15-20. 

Description:
Classic, rich ruby with garnet rim. Smooth and stylish with fine cassis and elegant wood flavours. Will age very well. 92 Parker Points

Ageing Potential: 15 + Years

Tasting Note:
Beautifully perfumed with intense notes of cassis and cigar box flavours. Well integrated tannins mellowing well. This wine has great finesse and while drinking beautifully now can be kept for another 10 to 15 years. It is an excellent buy.

Food Matches: Red Meat / Beef / Lamb / Veal