Château Léoville Barton 2016

We are continually amazed, at such an early stage, by how much juiciness and freshness dance on the palate; equally remarkable are the exquisite, dense, even powerful yet very finely grained tannins; the union of breed and sensuality.

This is so vivid as it brims with pastis-soaked plum, blackberry, black currant and blueberry paste flavors, all carried by a perfectly integrated brambly spine. Tar and ganache notes give the finish an extra kick while everything stays within the mouthwatering roasted apple wood frame. Both regal and rambunctious, this is St.-Julien to a T. Best from 2025 through 2040. 11,667 cases made.

Intense, luxurious, fresh yet also very classically Bordeaux on the nose. Loads of dark berry and currant fruit, allied to a touch of oaky spiciness. Density on the palate but also refined, elegant, and smooth.

Terrific intensity of dark berries, almost peppery blackcurrants and violets with attractive and integrated, spicy oak and an earthy edge. The palate has a super powerful and long, linear core with plenty of fruit flesh strapped in tight for a long and thrilling ride into the finish. A blend of 86 per cent cabernet and 14 per cent merlot. Try from 2024.

The 2016 Léoville-Barton has a more savory bouquet than its peers: again, slightly tertiary in style, though very well delineated and showing lovely incense and pressed violet aromas with aeration. The oak is neatly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fleshy and ripe, and gently grippy, leading to a detailed and quite plush (for the vintage) finish. This is a charming Saint-Julien, a bit of a femme fatale. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting.

Deep in color, the wine offers intensity, vibrancy and length. The wine is all about its big, juicy blast of ripe fruit. It is full-bodied, tannic, joyous and classic. If you can wait about 15 years, this is going to be a knockout!

Deep, dark ruby in colour, with an opaque core brightening at the rim. Aromas are of blackberry confit, with hints of plum and cassis, and oak nuances. Still a bit shy. The tightly-knit palate is juicy and elegant, with fine cherry fruit, integrated tannins, minerality, great persistence, and a savoury cassis touch to the aftertaste. Certain to develop and age well.

Very fragrant nose blending fine leather, tobacco and discreet wood with ample dark fruit like cassis, cherry and black plum. Intense and dense palate with a rigid backbone of fine tannin, finely integrated oak and lush dark fruit with fine nuance and plenty of layers and an intense and lingering finish. Complex and well-built, already finely balanced but knowing how well it ages it should keep developing for a very long time.

86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, exactly the same blend as the 2015 vintage. Extremely deep purple with a black core and a violet rim. A perfume to go crazy for: loads of violets and ripe blueberry fruit, with blackberry jelly and coconut in the background. On the palate, it shows a silky texture, perfectly combining fullness and elegance, with a long finish featuring plenty of blue berries and cherry tobacco that linger on. In terms of weight class, a featherweight compared to the competition, but it makes up for it with finesse and an incredibly deep concentration!

Kunz barrel sample 17: (86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot) Fresh, silky, complex, elegant bouquet: cassis, currants, four-fruit tea, cedar, tobacco, licorice. Balanced, fresh, multi-layered, elegant palate with intense, fragrant aromatics, plenty of fine tannins, dense, elegant structure, and a very long, full, refined finish with lingering back aromas.

The 2016 Leoville Barton is deep garnet-colored. It charges out of the gate with powerful notes of blackcurrant pastilles, stewed plums, and blueberry compote, followed by wafts of lilacs, dark chocolate, and licorice. Medium-bodied, the palate is built like a brick house with a solid wall of firm, grainy tannins and lovely tension supporting the taut, muscular black fruits, finishing long with fantastic purity of fruit.

An excellent ensemble, perfectly confirming the en primeur tasting: fullness, precision, the character of the terroir, and consistency from the bouquet through to the finish; a great classic Saint-Julien.

2016 is proving better than we had judged; the wine is opening up and gaining in power, with the cru’s typical refinement.

Nose of lovely red fruits, Morello cherry, floral, deep. Full-bodied palate, beautiful attack, elegant tannins, superb finish. A great success.

Purple with violet highlights. Such finesse! The bouquet of Léoville Barton 2016 is exceptional. It admirably combines notes of blueberries, cherries, and spices. I also detect a pleasant freshness. On the palate, the wine stands out for its delicacy, finesse, and… breadth! It has very fine, powerful, and perfectly integrated tannins, paired with a juicy, racy structure. This brings character and length to the finish. An exceptional wine that will go a very long way. Respect!

The best ever made. Dark red color with purple highlights, intense and beautiful. An intense, delicate nose with pure, ripe fruit. Subtle nuances of pine wood over a backdrop of raspberry liqueur. Refined and dense from the attack, then supple as it unfolds, very aromatic, juicy, a touch discreet nonetheless, the wine finishes rich and noble with a long, sappy finale. It’s very good.

The Barton family's flagship wine benefits hugely from the age of the vines. This wine is ripe and concentrated, rich in tannins but with the wonderful black fruits that can be conjured from this vineyard. It will age well and is likely to be ready to drink from 2026.