Chateau Leoville Barton, Cru Classe, 2011

Leoville Barton-s 2011 is head and shoulders above its sister offering, Langoa Barton. Although not as backward as I expected given the general style that emerges from Anthony Barton-s beloved St.-Julien estate, this wine will need time in the bottle once it is released in several years. An opaque purple color is followed by aromas of damp earth, underbrush, black currants, cedar and hints of vanillin and incense. Medium to full-bodied and moderately tannic with good acidity as well as excellent delineation and purity, it should be forgotten for 4-5 years, and drunk over the following two decades.

The 2011 Léoville-Barton has an endearing nose with well-defined red berry fruit, cedar, pencil box and light sous-bois aromas that unfold with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fine depth and precision, well-integrated oak and a tensile, quite saline finish that is elegant and persistent. This is a beautiful 2017 that should age with style. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting. 2022 - 2040

A sleek, refined wine with blueberry, mineral and dried-flower character. Medium to full body with firm tannins. Bright and racy. Better in 2018.

Consistently brilliant quality in recent years and a reasonable pricing policy makes this one of our best selling wines. There is little need for us to recommend Léoville Barton as it has a dedicated following of loyal, regular customers who buy it faithfully every year en primeur. Our only problem is being able to source enough of it to satisfy demand. 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. 60% new oak. Always classically styled with good "grip" - this is what great Bordeaux is all about. Good depth of black fruit here. Firm, structured, serious and classic. This is real claret for those who like their wine dry, focussed and precise. Lots of cassis and plenty of depth.

The nose is deep brooding black fruited with black cherry and sloe backed by slightly sweeter cassis. Liquorice and coffee back the fruit on the palate the layers of flavour giving complexity and right at the back the bilberry freshness brings out the mint.

A classic Léoville-Barton that deserves to sell well, this is aromatic and bright, with Asian spices, dark plums and some sweet bramble and cassis flavours framed by fresh acidity and grainy, subtly extracted tannins. Fans of "off vintages" from this reliable château would do well to buy a case or two and cellar it. 10+ years.

Finely expressed intensity of fruit and a firmness of structure over natural aromatic ripeness to give it an assured future. Drink 2017-2035.