2009 Leoville Barton
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
Still young and brooding, this is pure St Julien, pure Barton loveliness. Great quality, juicy, balanced, crayon and cassis, we are right in the heart of the appellation here, but with the intensity and concentration turned up to full. 60% new oak for ageing.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Decanter
More reviews and scores
The 2009 Château Léoville Barton is a classic beauty from this estate that actually reminds me slightly of the 1990. Revealing a deep ruby/plum hue as well as brilliant aromatics of ripe currants, cedar pencils, darker, herbal, tobacco-like nuances, and some chocolaty, spice box-like nuances, it offers full-bodied richness on the palate, with a layered, deep, concentrated, yet classic Barton focused mouthfeel, sweet tannins, and outstanding length. This is just pure Bordeaux goodness that's on the early slopes of its prime drinking window. This brilliant, powerful, textured Saint-Julien has another 20-30 years of longevity ahead of it.
The 2009 Léoville-Barton is one of the few Saint-Julien '09s to suggest just a smidgen of brettanomyces on the nose, although frankly it does not detract from its allure, with lovely meat juice and brown spice aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, juicy and slightly chewier than its peers, well judged acidity with ample density and rondeur towards the finish. It might benefit from another year in bottle but otherwise, this is just a wonderful, life-affirming and disarmingly charming Léoville-Barton. (NM)
About the producer
Ch. Léoville Barton is a Second Growth Saint-Julien estate, one of the three famous Léoville estates (along with Léoville Poyferré and Léoville Las Cases). Owned by the Barton family (along with Ch. Langoa Barton), it produces classically structured Claret that ages beautifully.