The 1996 Chateau Léoville Barton was the winning bottle in the December Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. I decanted the wine for 90 minutes and served with a tri tip roast and roasted broccoli. 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.
Crimson in color with some bricking at the edge of the glass. 12.5% ABV. Stunning nose of dark fruits, leather, cigar box, wet leaves and cedar. Lush, supple and more approachable that my last bottle several years ago. Black cherry, currants, cassis, tobacco and earth on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish with mostly resolved tannins. Awesome Bordeaux that I don’t feel will get any better but there is certainly no rush here. Best over the next 2-4 years.
My rating: 93 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.
Totally agree that LB is a gem of a producer. Even in weak years it performs. I recently enjoyed a 2012 with Xmas dinner and it raised eyebrows, mine included. Full, dark, dry, balanced, wonderful.