Château Léoville Barton Saint-Julien 2019 - 2nd Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

A superb, well-rounded wine, even more carefully selected and crafted with a touch more finesse than the 2018 or 2015 vintages. It offers noble cedar aromas, with intensity and freshness at near-perfect levels, a long finish, and, of course, the best value for money among the Léovilles.

About the estate:

Under the understated, honest, and passionate leadership of Anthony Barton, this wine has joined the very elite of the Médoc without causing its prices to skyrocket. The wine’s current quality stems from the age and location of the vines, which allow for a balance of quantity and quality, as well as from a commitment to preserving and refining the most classic Médoc style. The mystery of its character remains, for this wine—with exceptional aging potential—is born fully formed, possessing an almost creamy texture that makes it immediately stand out and be loved. The new generation of the family has little need to change anything...

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

Although the Irishman Thomas Barton established his wine merchant business in Les Chartrons in 1725, it was not until 1821 that his grandson Hugh acquired Château Langoa, and then, in 1826, part of the former Léoville estate—a property founded in the early 17th century and divided into several parts during the Revolution. The estate has remained in the Barton family ever since (Lilian Barton-Sartorius since 2006), with its 51 hectares of vineyards stretching south of the village of Saint-Julien. There is no residence or winery here; vinification and aging take place at Langoa.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Like its stablemate Langoa Barton, the 2019 Léoville Barton is a timeless classic, made for connoisseurs. Offering aromas of blackcurrant, plum, pencil shavings, and licorice, it is full-bodied, deep, and concentrated, with a deep fruit core framed by a structure of rich, powdery tannins that come through on the young, firm finish. Although clearly built for the long term, its homogeneous structure and fullness on the mid-palate make it one of this château’s best wines in recent years. Could this be a more concentrated, modern version of Anthony Barton’s brilliant 1985? 2029–2069

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

How can one resist its charm and elegance? Exquisitely refined, with a superb texture that feels like silk. This delicate wine is also very persistent and intense, with beautifully defined fruit. Superb!

About the estate:

Since 1985, the estate has gone from strength to strength under the leadership of Anthony Barton and his daughter Lilian. These successes have turned into triumphs, as Léoville Barton has consistently ranked among the top Bordeaux grands crus since 1998. Aside from an obvious passion for a job well done, the secret to this success lies in the advanced age of this historic vineyard, which yields ripe, concentrated grapes. More full-bodied and fruity as a primeur than Léoville Las Cases or Léoville Poyferré, Baron enchants with its richness, its supreme balance—which it owes to its terroir—as well as a profound natural expression. More open as a young wine, it often goes through a phase of austerity before gradually taking on its final form; as it ages, it then unfolds one of the most complex and elegant bouquets in the Médoc. Furthermore, given its quality and consistent performance, prices remain very affordable.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

The wine is rich and full-bodied. Its impressive structure is balanced by the velvety texture of black fruit and its acidity. The wine is powerfully built but never overpowering. It will age well and will be ready to drink starting in 2026.

James Suckling

About the wine:

Currants, sweet fruit, and fresh flowers on the nose. Medium-bodied to full-bodied, with firm, silky tannins that are chewy and powerful. Long and robust, yet invigorating and refined. Best enjoyed after 2026.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

The bouquet of Léoville Barton is still marked by its aging, yet this does not prevent it from revealing its complexity and a beautiful fruity intensity. On the palate, elegance reigns supreme. The wine has body and fullness. Its tannins are fine, powerful, and perfectly in harmony with the vigor of its structure. A wine that combines charm, elegance, and power, from the attack through to the finish. The finish is, in fact, intense and persistent. 2026–2049

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is elegant, refined, and distinguished, offering power, delicacy, finesse, subtle intensity, and depth, with good structure and a lovely, subtly tight texture. It features notes of ripe, pulpy boysenberry, ripe wild strawberry, and, more subtly, vibrant black berries, combined with hints of violet, lily, warm earthiness, and subtle notes of caramelization, nutmeg, toast, and a barely perceptible touch of saltiness. The palate is fruity, elegant, and indulgent, offering lovely definition, a fine texture and structure, power, savory depth, and a refined minerality. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of juicy, pulpy boysenberry, vibrant raspberry, and, to a lesser extent, vibrant blackcurrant, combined with subtle hints of violet, lily, toast, and nutmeg, as well as delicate notes of chocolate, caramelization, and black tea (in the background). Good length and persistence. The tannins are elegant, refined, and distinguished.