Château Léoville Barton Saint-Julien 2018 - 2nd Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Under Anthony Barton’s understated, honest, and passionate leadership, 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—and from a commitment to preserving and enhancing the most classic Médoc style. What remains a mystery is its character, for this wine—which has exceptional aging potential—is born fully formed, with an almost creamy texture that makes it immediately stand out and win people over. The family’s new generation has little need to change anything...

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

Deep red in color with beautiful violet highlights, the wine expresses a freshness that is reflected in its elegant and complex bouquet (blackcurrant, blackberry, licorice, toast, vanilla). Frank, crisp, full-bodied, and long on the palate, it features a solid tannic structure and an excellent balance between fruit and oak.

About the estate:

Although the Irishman Thomas Barton established his wine trading 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 (owned by 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; winemaking and aging take place at Langoa.

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

About the wine:

This wine is a pure delight and one of the most elegant in the appellation. It showcases what makes Léoville Barton so special: a consistently silky texture and, above all, fruit that remains crisp and flavorful, with a gently briny finish.

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 very best 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 and 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—and a deeply natural expression. More open when first released, the wine 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, its prices remain very affordable.

Wine Spectator

About the wine:

This wine is brimming with notes of blackcurrant, crushed plum, and macerated blackberry, accompanied by hints of tar, violet, and toasted applewood, as well as a wonderful touch of warm earth. It possesses great energy, with a well-structured finish that brings the whole wine together. Cellar for aging. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best enjoyed between 2026 and 2040. Production: 11,600 cases.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

This wine features fine, rich tannins that complement powerful aromas of black plum and blackcurrant. Dense and full-bodied on the palate, with rich fruity notes, it offers beautiful structure and absolute indulgence. With time, these two aspects will harmonize perfectly. Best enjoyed starting in 2027.

James Suckling

About the wine:

Sweet berries—blackberries, raspberries, and violets—lead to a full-bodied palate with extremely creamy, polished tannins that caress the palate. It’s truly long and refined. A superb finish.

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

This estate has enjoyed phenomenal success in recent years, and the 2018 Château Léoville Barton ranks among the very best. Composed of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Merlot, with 60% aged in new French oak barrels, this classic Saint-Julien is perfectly balanced and simply exceptional. It is brimming with notes of blackcurrant and blackberry, as well as hints of freshly sharpened pencil lead, tobacco, chocolate, and earth. Rich, medium-bodied to full-bodied, and concentrated on the palate, it features powerful tannins and lovely acidity, yet the fruit is pure, perfectly ripe, and wonderfully integrated with all the wine’s components. As is typically the case with this cuvée, it is initially closed off upon opening and will require 8 to 10 years of bottle aging to reach full maturity. It will continue to evolve for 30 to 40 years in the cellar. 2021–2061

Yves Beck

About the wine:

A superb bouquet characterized by both intensity and subtlety. It displays inviting notes of black berries, spices, and licorice. On the palate, the wine lives up to the promise of its bouquet, creating an exceptional harmony of finesse, power, and length. The tannins are exceptionally delicate. Almost velvety, they possess the substance needed to ensure the wine’s aging potential and harmonize with its acidity. A truly great Léoville Barton with an intense and lingering finish. 2026–2053