The 2004 Léoville Barton was the winning bottle in the June Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. The wine was decanted for almost 3 hours.
The Barton family, the current owners of the estate, trace their Bordeaux roots all the way back to 1722. Léoville Barton, a 2nd Growth, is now one of two chateau from the 1855 Classification of the Medoc that remains in the hands of the same family that owned it at the time it was classified. The 47 hectare St. Julien vineyard of Léoville Barton is planted to 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc.
Crimson in color. 13% ABV. Striking nose of red fruits, cedar, pencil shavings and leather. Powerful and concentrated. Medium body but well structured. Throwing substantial sediment. Creme de cassis, currants, iron and earth on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish with formidable, silky tannins. Very traditional Bordeaux that is drinking really well at 15 years of age. The components are here for this to be a long lived wine from a less than acclaimed vintage. Best over the next 6-10 years.
My rating: 93 points.
Léoville Barton is one of my favorite estates in Bordeaux. The wines are traditional, long lived and fairly priced and for that reason they have good representation in my cellar.