Tasting Notes
Vinous 93+
The 2008 Léoville Barton has a lovely, heart-warming bouquet of ripe blackberry and cedar, touches of graphite, precise and supremely well focused. Classic Barton. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and lively with impressive density; structured with a firm backbone on the graphite-tinged and tensile finish that suggests that it deserves another 3-4 years in bottle. Excellent. (Tasted at BI Wine & Spirit’s annual 10-Year On tasting.)
Anticipated maturity: 2022-2045
Robert Parker 91
Tasted ex-chateau and single blind in Southwold. The Leoville Barton 2008 has a very ripe, opulent bouquet that reminded me of Poyferre! It has impressive definition and purity; very good lift but there is a lot of oak to be subsumed. The palate is medium-bodied with a succulent, velvety entry that disguises its serious tannic backbone. It is very stylish and suave, although there is just a touch of dryness towards the finish. I think it will improve with another decade on the clock. Tasted January 2012.
JancisRobinson.com 16.5
2010 was the first vintage of the new winemaker, ex Monbrison. Lots of blackcurrant Cabernet on the nose. Sweet and putty and then a bit formless on the palate. Very drying finish indeed.
Anticipated maturity: 2018-2030
