Chateau Leoville Barton, Cru Classe, 2023
Country: France Region: Saint Julien, Bordeaux
Varietal: 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc
Vintage: 2023 Category: Red Wine Style: Dry
Producer: Chateau Leoville-Barton
The Barton family's second growth is always a top quality Bordeaux of classic proportions. Structured, Cabernet Sauvignon dominated wines are produced here that are serious, controlled and pure. The 50 hectare vineyard is planted 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Always the epitome of Saint Julien and the ultimate "Englishman's Claret". The Barton family traditions continue with Anthony's daughter Lilian and her son Damien in charge of the estate. The 2023 vintage was the 2nd to be made in the new winery. Production is from a yield of 50 hl/ha and it is being aged in medium toast barrels - 60% new. It is made up of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc.
"The tannins here are cashmere-like. You can touch it, but at the same time it is weightless and beautiful. Medium- to full-bodied and textural. Soars at the end. This is really seamless and dialed in. Third year using the cellar. 87% cabernet sauvignon, 10% merlot and 3% cabernet franc."
"Effortlessly pure and focused, this 2023 is deep purple in colour and intense in its cassis-led fruit on the nose. Flecks of wood spice show here and there, but this is all about refreshing, powerful black fruit. This follows on the palate, which has superb density and focus for the vintage. The tannins are bold and medocain, giving something to chew on and contemplate as the black fruit builds to the finish. The wood spice is deftly judged and integrating nicely. This is a vin de garde, and has a real sense of place. A superb Léoville Barton that is up with the very best Saint Juliens this year."
"The 2023 Léoville Barton is showing beautifully, wafting from the glass with aromas of cassis, pencil shavings, burning embers and a discreet touch of new oak. Medium- to full-bodied, supple and layered, it's deep, dense and classically structured, with ripe tannins, excellent purity of fruit and a penetrating finish. It's a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc that weighs in at 13% alcohol. Drink 2030-2060"
"The 2023 Leoville Barton is deep garnet-purple in colour. It features fragrant scents of violets, fertile loam, and rose oil leading to a core of redcurrant jelly, cassis, and licorice with a touch of cardamom. The medium-bodied palate is tense and tightly wound at this youthful stage, like a taut spring ready to pop. Firm, fine-grained tannins and a racy backbone adeptly support the vibrant fruit, finishing long and perfumed. The blend is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc, aged in barriques, 60% new."
