Critic Notes
"Aromas of pure blackberries and violets follow through to a full body, with super velvety tannins and a delicious balance of sweet fruit, light vanilla and nuts. Really savory and beautiful. Superb wine. I like this better than 2009. Try in 2018."
Score: 97-/100James Suckling
“The Leoville-Barton 2010 has a very impressive, very showy bouquet with mineral-driven black fruit mixed with hints of liquorice and cigar box that unfolds with every passing moment in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a fleshy ripe but structured opening. The acidity is very well judged with a fine line of acidity, real depth and flavour here with a long, light peppery finish. Excellent - an accomplished Saint Julien from Anthony Barton and his team. Tasted January 2014.”
Score: 97-/100Neal Martin
Fine concentration, quite understated at the start, then the purity and depth of fruit, classical Leoville firm texture and length becomes plain, a wine that repays keeping. Drink 2020-40. Steven Spurrier, decanter.com
Score: 18.5-/20Decanter
A splendid showing, much stronger from bottle than it was from barrel, the Leoville Barton is one of the spectacular wines of the vintage. Inky purple to the rim, its huge tannin gives this wine real potential for 30-50 years of longevity. It is a classic, powerful Bordeaux made with no compromise. A superstar of the vintage, the wine has notes of pen ink and creme de cassis, good acidity, sweet, subtle oak, and massive extraction and concentration. I thought it was one of the most backward wines of the vintage two years ago, and nothing has changed in the ensuing upbringing of the wine in cask except that the wine now seems even richer, denser and fuller than I previously thought. The beautiful purity, symmetry, and huge finish of nearly a minute make this one of the all-time great classics from Leoville Barton. Anticipated maturity: 2028-2065+. Feb 2013, www.robertparker.com
Score: 96-/100Robert Parker
Dark and winey, with a terrific core of plum and macerated black currant fruit woven with a note of black cherry reduction. Tarry but polished. Grippy but velvety. And plenty long. James Molesworth, winespectator.com
Score: 94-97/100Wine Spectator
77CS 21M 2CF Very pretty nose, very floral. I really like this: super concentrated and without the fierce tannin of elsewhere. Real class
Score: 17-18/20FINE+RARE
Black with a purple edge. Less obviously aromatic than the Langoa 2010. Drier but still very ripe and voluptuous. Tea leaves and a savoury note. Real energy. This should be a very long-term player. Tasted blind 8 Apr: Still lots of blue in the colour here. Scented and mineral. Relatively lightweight. Bone dry. A bit austere at the moment. Makes me think that these 2010s need a fair amount of weight to work..? Quite long though. This wine may overtake Langoa in the long term but is certainly less expressive at this stage. jancisrobinson.com
Score: 17.5-/20Jancis Robinson
