Château Léoville Barton

Saint- Julien 2 Grand Cru Classé

2018 Château Léoville Barton

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice nose. Lightly scented and floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, some cassis notes, long. 92-94

2017 Château Léoville Barton

APR 18 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blueberries, scented, detailed, floral and scented nose, this is flirting! Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, red berries, detailed, intense, elegant, superb balance, lovely energy, long. 94-96

2016 Château Léoville Barton

MAY 19 Ruby. Blueberries, spices, floral, scented, dark fruity nose, intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, blueberries, detailed, nuanced, layered and long. A beautiful Léoville Barton! 95

2016 Château Léoville Barton

JUN 17 Ruby. Blueberries, spices, fruity, some anise and light scented floral note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, anise, spices, elegant texture, detailed and long. 95

2016 Château Léoville Barton

APR 17 Ruby. Scented, red berries. Fruity, fresh, nuanced, layered, floral, nuanced, seductive nose already. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, detailed, playful, elegant, refreshing, superb balance, long. Among the best ever from here. 95-97

2015 Château Léoville Barton

DEC 18 Ruby. Cassis, violets, blueberries, scented, nuanced, detailed nose, still quite open. Intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, detailed, intense, layered and long. Refreshing. Drink from 2025 and over the next twenty five years after. 94

2015 Château Léoville Barton

APR 16 Ruby. Dark fruits, spices, red berries, cherries, floral notes, intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, rounded, elegant, playful, long. Tasted twice with consistent notes. 93-95

2014 Château Léoville Barton

DEC 17 Ruby. Blueberries, spices, floral, delicate, detailed nose, charming even at this stage, almost seductive even. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, anise, spices, red berries, detailed, elegant, long. Bit of structure in the finish. 94

2014 Château Léoville Barton

SEP 15 Ruby. Ripe red berries, some scented notes, cassis, some vanilla, elegant and pure nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, structured with and almost creamy texture of the fruit, dark berries, red berries, quite fresh, elegant palate, long. 93

2014 Château Léoville Barton

JUN 15 Ruby. Dark fruits, intense, minerals behind dark fruits, spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fresh, lively, quite detailed, long. 94

2014 Château Léoville Barton

APR 15 Ruby. Scented, floral, dark berries and fruits, vanilla and spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, lively, fruity and intense, structured, long. 92-94

2013 Château Léoville Barton

MAR 19 Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, spices, lighter nose, some floral notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and red fruity body, some anise, leaner, long if narrower. 90

2013 Château Léoville Barton
APR 14 Ruby. Floral, scented, red berries, violets, lovely nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded, deeper, slight herbal note far back, vanilla, long. 90-92

2012 Château Léoville Barton

JUN 18 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, fruity, fresh nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, juicy, dark berries, elegant, refreshing, playful, long. 93

2012 Château Léoville Barton

MAR 16 Deep ruby. Spices, dark berries, mint, chocolate, some vanilla, alcohol, jammy nose, rich. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, dark berries, red fruits, jammy, intense, rich, bit alcoholic, long. 93

2012 Château Léoville Barton

DEC 15 Ruby. Dark fruits, some scented notes, floral, fruity, blueberries and cassis, some vanilla and spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, dark berries, juicy, firm, long. 94

2012 Château Léoville Barton

SEP 13 Ruby. Scented, fruity, vanilla, cassis and red berries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, refreshing, elegant, lively and nuanced palate, fruity, mouthwatering and long. 94

2012 Château Léoville Barton

JUN 13 Ruby. Scented, fruity, elegant and layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant and lively, refreshing, superb texture. Long. 93-94

2012 Château Léoville Barton

APR 13 Ruby. Scented. Fruity and elegant cassis nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, lively and very elegant texture and structure, long. 91-93

2011 Château Léoville Barton

SEP 15 Ruby. Scented, dark fruits, some cassis, lighter red berries, vanilla, some spices, again tighter nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, rounded, quite elegant even at this fairly tight stage, fairly structured, long. 93

2011 Château Léoville Barton

DEC 14 Dyprød. Intens, fruktig, rik og up front for Léoville Barton, fioler, solbær og solbærblader, lett mineralsk tone langt bak. Frisk syre, modne tanniner, mer gjenkjennelig i munn, leken og livlig, røde bær, detaljert, frisk, så deilig i munn at man skulle ønske den var vesentlig lengre. 2020-2040 94

2011 Château Léoville Barton

NOV 12 Bright ruby. Some floral notes, scented, layered, cassis and blueberries. Fruit-driven but very elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant texture and structure, refreshing and long. 93

2010 Château Léoville Barton

MAR 15 Dark fruits, scented, flirting nose, youthful but quite seductive for its age. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, layered, intense, detailed, long. 95

2010 Château Léoville-Barton

DEC 14 Dyprød. Floral, elegant, nyansert, røde bær, flørtende og besnærende duft. Frisk syre, modne tanniner, elegant, forfriskende, rimelig tight i forhold til forrige flaske ett år tilbake, frisk finish, svært lang. Fatene er litt tydelige i finish. 95

2010 Château Léoville Barton

SEP 11 Scented, layered, fresh and lively. Superb balance with great aftertaste and length. 94-95

2010 Château Léoville Barton

MAY 11 Deep ruby, fresh, elegant, dark fruits, floral, beautiful balance, long. 93-95

2009 Château Léoville Barton

NOV 13 Ruby. Cassis, red berries, floral, nuanced, quite seductive nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and lively, refreshing and nuanced, layered and long, superb. 95

2009 Château Léoville Barton

OCT 13 Deepish ruby. Scented, cassis, floral, scented, elegant nose, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, tight, textured, even a bit grippy at the moment, really need time in the cellar. Long. 95

2009 Château Léoville Barton

OCT 12 Deep ruby. Layered and complex but very shut and restrained. Violets and cassis. Fresh acidity, elegant, classically refreshing, together and superb. Very long. 94

2009 Château Léoville Barton

JUN 10 Ruby, complex, elegant, blackcurrants, dark fruits, fresh acidity, high of ripe tannins, gorgeous elegance, finesse and balance, refined and pure, very long length. 95-97

2009 Château Léoville Barton

APR 10 Ruby. Cassis, scented, dark fruits, layered and complex nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, spices, ripe and rich, detailed, long. 94-96

2008 Château Léoville Barton

DEC 14 Dyprød. Intens, fruktig, mørke bær, parfymert, noe krydder og vanilje. Frisk syre, modne tanniner, frisk, livlig, fruktig, avrundet, elegant, røde bær, kjøttfull, litt rikere Léoville Barton, fruktig flaske. 92

2008 Château Léoville Barton

NOV 12 Ruby. Scented, herbs, cassis and rich for LB. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant, but almost verging on hollow. Maybe closed. Long. The second bottle more together and fuller mid-palate. 92

2008 Réserve de Léoville Barton

JUN 13 (2nd Ch Léoville Barton) Ruby. Scented, plums and cassis nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, elegant and again some plums, drinking well already, not that complex. 87

2007 Château Léoville Barton

FEB 14 Ruby. Scented, fruity, detailed, cassis, vanilla and leather nose, starting tobacco. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, firmer finish, good length. 89

2007 Château Léoville Barton

OCT 13 Ruby. Fruity, scented, elegant and nuanced, lovely nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, elegant, bit lean and not quite what you expect, good length. 89

2007 Château Léoville Barton

NOV 11 Ruby. Feels riper than most this vintage, even sweet, but hardly so in a different context, lovely finish. 89

2006 Châteu Léoville Barton

MAR 16 Ruby. Cassis, leather, scented, some red berries, touch of mint and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, cassis, leather, some liquorice, structured finish. 94

2006 Château Léoville Barton

MAY 11 Ruby, very closed now, takes time to open, some coffee, floral notes and cassis, but that underlying Saint-Julien elegance is very evident. Great texture, fresh acidity, pure, ripe tannins, elegant and long finish. 94

2005 Château Léoville Barton 

MAY 19 Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, violet touch, scented, fruit driven nose, youthful. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, young and lively, needs an hour or two in decanter to open up, or better still, wait ten years plus. Long. 95

2005 Château Léoville Barton 

DEC 18 Ruby. Quite rich and dense and very fruit forward, opens up nicely with air, detailed and layered, needs time to develop, can be tight. 95

2005 Château Léoville Barton 

AUG 18 Ruby. Rich, dark fruity, dense, ripe, intense, cassis, some violets behind, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, ripe, dark berries, some vanilla, long. 94

2005 Château Léoville Barton 

AUG 18 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruity, blueberries and spices, nose, faint floral note. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, some spices, ripe, dense, long. Youthful. 95

2005 Château Léoville Barton

DEC 17 Ruby. Blueberries, cassis, intense nose, starting figs and tobacco, minerals and layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, anise, red berries, spices, structured and firm behind layers of fruit, detailed and long. Tight now but lots of depth and potential. 95

2005 Château Léoville Barton

FEB 08 Ruby. Vanilla, chocolate, rich and intense, cassis, racy and intense, very up front for Barton. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, superb balance, long. 95

2004 Château Léoville Barton

JUL 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose, touch of figs, showing development. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices and anise, long. 92

2004 Château Léoville Barton

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark fruity nose, still some vanilla, faintly herbal nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, elegant fruit and body, somewhat leaner, long. 92

2004 Château Léoville Barton

FEB 09 Ruby. Cassis, blueberries. Some spices, anise, vanilla, faint paprika note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, structured and firm, some vanilla, red berries, cassis, long. 91

2003 Château Léoville Barton

APR 14 Ruby. Fruity, scented, ripe, anise, cassis, leather and cedar nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, lively and actually fresher palate, feels fairly lively for the vintage, fruity and long. 93

2001 Château Léoville Barton

OCT 16 Ruby. Violets, cassis, fruity, dark berries nose, light minerals note starting to show. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, bright, fresh and fruity, detailed, playful, long. 93

2001 Château Léoville Barton

MAY 16 Ruby. Dark fruity and floral nose, some leather, violets, elegant and charming nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, light leather and spicy note, long.

2001 Château Léoville Barton

OCT 15 Ruby. Scented, red berries, some floral notes, cassis and blueberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fresh, somewhat leaner, quite elegant red berries touch, long. 92

2001 Château Léoville Barton

APR 15 Ruby. Scented, flirting, dark berries, fruity, leather, nuanced, lovely nose. Floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, lively, delicate, playful, red berries finish, long. 92

2001 Château Léoville Barton

FEB 15 Ruby. Scented, dark fruits, elegant nose, cedar, faint floral note, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner body, fresh, detailed, leaner, very elegant and charming, long. 92

2001 Château Léoville Barton

DEC 14 Rubinrød. Røde bær, solbær, snev av lakris, noe tobakk og mer sedertre, elegant og besnærende duft. Frisk syre, modne tanniner, frisk, detaljert, elegant, nyansert, noe slank finish, lang. 2015-2030 92

2000 Château Léoville Barton

DEC 11 Ruby, elegant if a bit closed still, flirting cassis, leather, cigars and floral notes behind. Fresh acidity, ripe and soft tannins, texture feels ready, but fruit is still youthful. Sexy wine. 93

2000 Chateau Léoville Barton

NOV 09 Dark ruby, with ruby rim. Still youthful and closed, mostly pure blackcurrant aromas and blueberries. Nice acidity, ripe tannins, super elegant, at this stage, a bit tender because of its closed aromas, but there is a lot going on in the back, very long and pure St. Julien finish. Give it lots of time. 92

1998 Château Léoville Barton

MAR 16 Deep ruby. Cherries, red berries, spices, dark fruits, blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, red berries, spices, blueberries, some light minerals notes, long. 90

1998 Château Léoville Barton

NOV 15 Ruby. Scented, floral, cassis, figs, leather, lovely nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, elegant and rounded, leaner body, long. 92

1998 Château Léoville Barton

AUG 15 Ruby, garnet rim. Scented, dark berries, some red fruits, elegant nose, detailed, some cigars, very elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, cherries, anise, quite detailed, lovely. 94

1998 Château Léoville Barton

APR 15. Ruby. Cassis, figs, blueberries, violets and light tobacco nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, detailed, elegant even if some may say lean, charming, long. 93

1998 Château Léoville Barton

DEC 14 Ruby. Dark fruits, leather, scented nose, cassis and a light figs note. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fresh, elegant and detailed, long. 92

1998 Château Léoville Barton

OCT 14 Ruby. Scented, red berries, cassis, leather, light floral note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, cassis, light red berries note, leather, leaner finish, long. 92

1998 Château Léoville Barton

JUL 14 Ruby. Cedar, some tobacco, pencil shave, blueberries and cassis, scented and layered, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, elegant, not the most forward palate, elegant bottle, long. 91

1996 Château Léoville Barton

OCT 12 Deep ruby, hardly garnet rim. Cassis, some mints, cedar, a faint hint of figs. Scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, mouthwatering and lovely texture, even if the tannins actually will benefit from more ageing. 93

1996 Château Léoville Barton

NOV 11 Ruby, thin garnet rim. Leather, anise, perfumed, floral, superb nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, give it 30 minutes to open, gorgeous balance, texture and structure, beautiful length. 95

1996 Château Léoville Barton

MAY 11 Ruby, garnet rim, this bottle seems a bit cooked, some around the table feels that this is the style of the LB in 96. Prunes, leather, cooked plums, fresh acidity, few but almost bitter tannins. 88

1996 Château Léoville Barton

NOV 06 Ruby. Cassis, paprika, cigars, cedar, nuanced, complex and layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannin, blackcurrants, cedar, anise, detailed, structured, at ten years of age it has a way to go still. 93

1996 Château Léoville Barton

OCT 05 Ruby. Lovely Bordeaux nose, cassis, scented, tobacco and light floral note. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant, nuanced, playful, long. 93

1995 Château Léoville Barton

SEP 17 Ruby, thin garnet rim. Red berries, anise, some figs, cassis and leather, elegant and detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, cassis, some figs, leather, some cherries, elegant, refreshing and detailed, long. 93

1995 Château Léoville Barton

JAN 16 Ruby. Some red berries, bit tight, lightly scented towards violets, nuanced nose, cassis and leather. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries and cherries palate, fairly nuanced, bit tight, leaner bottle. 91

1995 Château Léoville Barton

JAN 16 Ruby. Scented, some cedar, tobacco, light floral note, fresh and elegant nose, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner palate, fresh, fruity, maturing, red berries finish. 92

1995 Château Léoville Barton

DEC 15 Bright ruby. Scented. Some cassis, anise, leather, some violets, detailed nose, nuanced, charming. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lively, structured, some leather and tobacco, long. 93

1994 Château Léoville Barton

JUN 09 Ruby with brick rim. Red berries, some figs and leather, faint floral note, somewhat scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner fruit and body, elegant, good length. 89

1991 Château Léoville Barton

APR 12 (Served blind) Bright ruby, ruby rim. What a nose, lost for words. Pencil all the way, cigars, cedar, cassis, so intense, layered and complex. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, mouthwatering, raspberries, spices, stunning, even if not quite up to the nose. Long. 94

1990 Châteu Léoville Barton

DEC 17 Ruby, brick rim. Figs, dates, some leather, fruity, sous bois and chocolate nose, tobacco. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries, anise, some spices, figs and dates, leather and tobacco, long. 91

1990 Château Léoville Barton

DEC 17 Ruby, garnet rim. Some figs, cassis, blueberries, tobacco, nuanced, mint and leather, elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, nuanced, cassis and figs, mint, tobacco and leather, long finish. 93

1990 Château Léoville Barton

FEB 15 Ruby. Ruby. Cassis, leather, anise, light barnyard note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, bit lean body, sweet and sour, bit short. 88

1989 Château Léoville Barton

SEP 17 Ruby, garnet rim. Bit earthy minerality, some prunes, scented notes behind, dark and deep unusual for LB. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, again earthy minerals, cherries, plums, it is a bit rustic this one and not quite how I remember it but can't fault it either. Brett has crossed my mind but it isn't dry enough in the finish. 89

1989 Château Léoville Barton

JUL 16 Ruby, garnet rim. Scented, fruity, structured, violets, some leather and cassis, absolutely lovely nose, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, structured, fruity, elegant, intense, cherries, lovely balance, detailed, refreshing, cool style for the vintage, long. 95

1989 Château Léoville Barton

JUL 15 Ruby, garnet rim. Cassis, leather, light floral note, some tea, layered and deeper. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cassis, structured, some vanilla, cedar, wood polish, long if somewhat edgy finish. 92

1989 Château Léoville Barton

JAN 15 Ruby, thin garnet rim. Cassis, leather, lightly scented, some spices, touch of bell peppers. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, bit hollow, fruity, red berries, some spices, lightly herbal, good length. Not the best bottle. 89

1989 Château Léoville Barton

DEC 14 Ruby, garnet rim. Scented, some violets, light thyme note, dark fruits, leather and cedar nose, flirting nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded, elegant, detailed, still somewhat firm, slightly rustic, leaner palate, faint iodine note. Long. 92

1989 Château Léoville-Barton

DEC 13 Rubinrød, tynn tegl kant. Flørtende, nyansert, årgangens sødme, lett spicy, røde bær og kirsebærtoner. Frisk syre, modne tanniner, frisk og fruktig, drikker svært godt nå, elegant, lang ettersmak. 93

1988 Château Léoville Barton

AUG 17 Ruby, garnet rim. Blueberries, anise, some spices, some cassis, tobacco, leather, mint. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cassis, blueberries, some spices, anise, leather, lovely balance, holds up very nicely. 93

1988 Château Léoville Barton

JUL 16 Ruby, garnet rim. Leather, cassis, paprika, some tobacco, some blueberries, lovely scented note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, elegant, nuanced but also quite firm structure and texture, long finish. Some would argue against it but this bottle was just absolutely beautiful. 94

1988 Château Léoville Barton

DEC 15 Ruby, thin garnet rim. Figs, prunes, earthy notes, mint, tobacco, mature nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lacks a bit of fruit, not an optimal bottle.

1986 Château Léoville Barton

OCT 15 In neck fill. Ruby. Red berries, some violets, tight nose, blueberries, cassis, youthful bottle. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, almost aggressive still, needs another fifteen years, fruity, fresh, elegant, lively, nuanced, quite bright fruit, lovely bottle, long. 96

1986 Château Léoville Barton

DEC 14 Rubinrød, tynn tegl kant. Solbær, lær, tobakk, jordlig duft for denne vinen, fiken og dadler. Frisk syre, modne tanniner, jordlig, mangler frukt, hadde langt bedre flaske for kun noen uker tilbake. 88

1986 Château Léoville-Barton

NOV 14 Høy hals nivå. Rubinrød. Tight, ren, klokkeklar og nok en utrolig ung flaske. Røde bær, nyansert, delikat, superb nese. Frisk syre, modne tanniner, frisk, livlig, delikat, røde bær, fortsatt tight og stram som baken på en ballettdanser. Lang. 94

1986 Château Léoville Barton

NOV 12 Deep ruby. Finally a bottle that is starting to open. Well, open is not the right word. Its still tighter than most. Scented, violets, cassis, some leather and fine tea. Fresh acidity, tight, ripe tannins, When will it open? Nothing happens with air, just like former bottles, in different formats. Give it another ten to twenty years. Long. 94

1986 Château Léoville Barton

MAY 12 Faulty storage.

1986 Château Léoville Barton

SEP 10 Ruby, ripe, leather, plums and a sweetish fruit touch, hint of anise. Complex, good acidity, ripe tannins, way more elegant on the palate than the nose, slightly more hollow mid palate than other bottles, very long length. I feel this is in a state now when it's very difficult to see where it's going and how mature it actually is. 89

1986 Chateau Léoville Barton

SEP 09 (Impérial)Dyp ruby, ruby kant, ekstremt lukket, med massiv lufting, solbær, lær, snev av begynnende sekundæraromaer, noe plommer, lakris og svisker. Pen syre, elegant frukt, balansert, modne tanniner, lang finish. `Fra imperial kunne denne ligge 40 år til. 90

1985 Château Léoville Barton

OCT 15 In neck fill. Ruby, garnet rim. Some red berries, some lovely scented notes, violets, leather notes, touch of figs nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, elegant, somewhat leaner, long. 93

1983 Château Léoville Barton

JUN 17 Corked

1982 Château Léoville Barton

JUL 18 Ruby with brick rim. Liquorice, anise, figs, dates, raisins, mature nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, figs, dates, spices, leaner but elegant, nuanced, lovely balance, long. Utterly charming now. Long. 93

1982 Chateau Léoville Barton

MAY 10 A level fill, cork soaked, ruby with garnet rim, lots of sediments. Complex, leather, cedar, blackcurrants, very elegant and cool fruit for the vintage, fresh and lively. Great acidity, ripe tannins, good structure, very long finish, this is one of the freshest 82's of lately, keep another 10-15 years, if you want to. 94

1980 Château Léoville Barton

OCT 17 Ruby, brick rim. Lean cedary nose, earthy. Lean palate, quite tired, but towards mid shoulder fill so probably better bottles out there.

1979 Château Léoville Barton

MAY 14 Ruby, garnet rim. Cassis, violets, cedar and tobacco, lovely nose but fading quickly in the glass. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh redcurrants, leaner finish. 90 before fading.

1979 Château Léoville Barton

MAY 14 Ruby, garnet rim. Cassis, some cedar, slight floral note nose, more intense, figs and prunes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and fruity if leaner, figs and leather, long. 91

1979 Château Léoville Barton

JAN 14 Ruby, thin brick rim. Scented, fruity, cassis, leather and tobacco nose. Quite delicate nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, very rounded, bit boring palate, good length. Bit off bottle. 88

1979 Château Léoville Barton

APR 12 Ruby, brick rim. Cherries, figs, prunes and bell peppers nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, figs and prunes, cherries and somewhat sweet and sour, long if leaner. 90

1979 Chateau Léoville Barton

NOV 09 Bright ruby with brick orange rim, lots of fine sediments. B level fill, cherries, bell peppers, not as complex and elegant nose as the 78. More acidity, fine-tuned tannins still, more cherry notes on the palate, more intense, but not as complex and refined and a bit thinner. 85

1978 Chateau Léoville Barton

NOV 09 Bright ruby, almost brown on the rim, lots of fine sediments. B level fill. Very closed and tender at first, after 15 minutes, it opens up greatly, cherries, bell peppers, some stable, dust and well hung meat, slightly perfumed, seductive. Very elegant and well-tuned, lovely fresh acidity, very long finish, tannins gone. 88

1976 Château Léoville Barton

APR 12 Ruby, brick rim, sediments. Lean nose, seems tired but opens with fifteen minutes of air. Bell peppers, red and darker fruits, leather and stable. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, detailed and long, lovely balance, long. 92

1971 Château Léoville Barton

AUG 07 Ruby core, broad brick rim. Lean earthy nose with some anise, leather and figs. Cherry stones. Fresh acidity, few tannins, lean body, starting to dry out. 86

1970 Château Léoville Barton

JUL 08 Ruby with brick rim, in neck fill. Figs, dates, earthy nose, leather, not giving too much. Fresh acidity, bit rough tannins, rustic, structured, firm, not very elegant. 87

1966 Château Léoville Barton

OCT 13 High shoulder fill. Ruby, orange rim. Scented, cigars, anise, leather and some cassis nose, figs and wood polish, gentleman's wardrobe. Fresh acidity, ripe and few tannins, leaner palate, refreshing, ads on the nose with air, long. 90

1966 Château Léoville Barton

DEC 12 Low fill, low top shoulder, but good cork. Garnet with brick rim. Licorice, figs and leather. Quite light and more so than last bottle. Fresh acidity, hardly any tannins left, licorice and dried fruit palate with raspberry refreshing finish. Good length. 92

1966 Château Léoville Barton

NOV 12 Mid shoulder fill only, soaked cork that came out whole. Brilliant ruby with thin orange rim. Such a delicate nose. Some figs, leather, faint hint of tobacco, slightly scented, a violet whiff on top. Fresh acidity, tannins more or less polished off, again an almost tender, or at least soft texture, very elegant. Subdued and a freshness nerve to it, that is typical on today’s wines as well from Léoville Barton. A wild strawberries finish. Truly excellent wine. 93

1966 Château Léoville Barton

FEB 12 I.E.C Wine Society bottle. In the neck fill, ruby with brick rim. Redcurrant's, cassis and leather on the nose, more fruit driven than the Lascombes. Fresh acidity, mouthwatering feel to it, lean body, ripe and few tannins, a bit tight finish, tight in a way that feels right for this wine. 90

1963 Château Léoville Barton

DEC 17 Dead.

1961 Château Léoville Barton

NOV 08 Upper shoulder fill, soaked cork. Rub core, broad brick rim. Violets over some prunes and figs, some light cedar and leather notes, really floral and lovely. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, playful, elegant, detailed, somewhat lean body, figs and dates, long finish, smooth. 95