2015 Chateau Leoville Barton 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien

Chateau Leoville Barton 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien

Colour: Red

Vintage: 2015

Region: Bordeaux, Saint-Julien

Leoville Barton is a perennial favourite of the British wine drinker - hardly surprising when one gets to know the quality of this St. Julien. However the old ‘dependable workhorse’ label is sorely misplaced nowadays, with the precision and freshness making it a far more sophisticated wine than its outdated reputation might suggest. The blend is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), with Merlot (20%) and Cabernet Franc (10%) making up the rest. Whilst the wine remains traditional in style, tending to be backward in its youth and with the potential to be very long lived, it is certainly stylish and since 2014 has found a new level of elegance.

Tasting Notes and Scores

96+ AG

A dense, powerful wine, the 2015 Léoville-Barton is going to need quite a bit of time to come together, as it is massively tannic and structured at this stage. vinous.com, February 2018

Antonio Galloni

96 JS

This is a very focused Barton with ultra-fine tannins that are so polished and chalky. It drives through the center palate with currant and berry character. Full-bodied, polished and straightforward with driving tannin. Love the texture. Class. Yes. Drink in 2021.

James Suckling

95 RP

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Leoville Barton offers up notions of warm red currants, black raspberries and dark chocolate with wafts of cigar box, violets and bay leaves. Elegant, medium-bodied and sporting great freshness, the taut, tightly wound palate of intense red fruits and floral accents is well-framed with firm, grainy tannins, finishing on a lingering mineral note. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Interim Issue Mid-February 2018, The Wine Advocate

Wine Advocate

94 NM

The 2015 Leoville Barton is less expressive than the Langoa Barton at the moment, although there is more complexity locked up here. Black fruit, briary, crushed stone and a touch of violet all vie for attention. The palate is fresh and vibrant, nicely structured albeit without the depth and volume that I think the 2016 will bring. I would prefer a touch more persistence but otherwise this is a finely made, stylish Leoville Barton (as usual). Anticipated maturity: 2021 - 2045.

– eRobertParker.com, Feb 2018

Neal Martin

92-95 WS

Gutsy, with mouthfilling blackberry and black currant compote flavors buttressed with very lively bramble and licorice notes. There's loads of grip, but this is velvety in feel.

– James Molesworth (WineSpectator.com, April 2016)

Wine Spectator

91-93+ BI

The flagship wine of Anthony and Lilian Barton, Léoville Barton always delivers a fabulous example of honest, terroir-driven St. Julien. Powerful and fully structured with a firm backbone of acidity and full dark fruit flavours. Dense and made for the longer term. (86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot.)

Bordeaux Index

17 JR

Glowing purplish crimson. Very obviously 'sweeter' and chunkier than the Langoa Barton just tasted. But not too much. Full of appeal. And there is masses of tannin here! Lots going on here. Drink 2027-2045.

– jancisrobinson.com, Apr 2016

Jancis Robinson

Chateau Leoville Barton 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien