The 1990 Chateau Léoville Barton was the winning bottle in the January Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. The wine was opened in memory of Anthony Barton who passed away not long ago. I decanted the wine for 90 minutes and served with a pork roast and roasted smashed yukon gold potatoes. I bought this wine on release and have cellared it properly ever since.
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.
Ruby red in color with some bricking at the edge of the glass. 12.5% ABV. Spellbinding nose of plums, leather, cedar and cigar box. Warm and supple. Noteworthy concentration of fruit from a wine that is over thirty years old. Currants, cassis, tobacco and earth on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish with super silky tannins. Just an outstanding wine from a long lived vintage. I have a single bottle left that I will revisit some time after 2025.
My rating: 96 points.
Léoville Barton is one of my favorite estates in Bordeaux. The wines are traditional, long lived and fairly priced. For that reason they have good representation in my cellar.
Nice post, Tom! Sounds amazing. Glad you have one more bottle of this beauty to try with a bit more age. I have a lot of Léoville Barton in my cellar but not the 1990. Same with Langoa Barton. Cheers!
Thanks Peter. This bottle would be right in your wheelhouse for sure.
I’ll look for the 1990 Léoville Barton. Thanks for the suggestion.