2017 Chateau Leoville Barton - 2eme Cru Classe St. Julien

Decanter.com – 93 pts – SA: *Brooding with concentrated, rich, dark blackcurrant and berry fruit at the core, fresh acidity and a lick of sage to nose and palate. Assertive tannins build going through, making for a chewy and dense finish. Powerfully framed, currently quite austere. Needs time. An imposing St-Julien from this 10th-generation, family-owned estate.* - 11/2022

Falstaff Magazin – 93 pts – PM: *Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung, floraler Touch, reife schwarze Kirschen, Brombeeren, ein Hauch von Orangenzesten. Mittlerer Körper, schwarze Beerenfrucht, integrierte, präsente Tannine, etwas Kirschfrucht im Abgang, mineralisch, anhaftend, verfügte über Entwicklungspotenzial.* - 05/2018

Vinum Magazin – 18/20pts: *Durch und durch sinnlich, elegant, geschmeidig, Tannin mit Schliff, saftig auch; besonders stilvoll, ein Must.* - 09/2020

WeinWisser – 19/20pts - WL: *Sattes Purpur mit violettem Rand. Was für ein dichtes blaubeeriges Konzentrat aus Heidel- und Brombeeren sowie Palisander. Im zweiten Ansatz eine volle Ladung schwarze Johannisbeeren und Darjeelingnoten. Am erhabenen Gaumen mit ausladenden, perfekt integrierten Tanninen, immer noch leicht stützend, geben dem Wein eine rahmige Struktur. Im gebündelten Finale ein nicht enden wollendes Crescendo aus blauen Beeren, dunklen Edelhölzern und Brazil-Tabak. Eine perfekte Symbiose aus Finesse, Kraft und Fruchtfülle. Da ist die nächsthöhere Wertung die logische Konsequenz.* – 04/2020

JancisRobinson.com – 17,5/20pts – JR: *93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot. Aged for 16–18 months (60% new oak). Deep, glowing crimson. Very distinctive nose. Heady undergrowth aromas if that’s not an oxymoron! Rich and velvet-textured but with some freshness. Glowing fruit with a good tannic charge underneath. Good for now and the future. Pencil-shavings quality. Went down in the glass.* - 11/2022

Vinous.com – 96 pts – AG: *Léoville-Barton is one of the very few wines, from any appellation, that combines power and finesse with such grace in 2017. Rich, deep and wonderfully expressive, the 2017 has so much offer. The high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon comes through loud and clear. Inky dark, fruit, game, spice, mint, licorice and lavender all build in a wine of regal elegance and head spinning beauty. For its combination of quality and price, Léoville-Barton remains one the most consumer-friendly wines of the Left Bank. The blend is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot. The September rains were especially challenging for the Merlot and Cabernet Franc. As a result, Cabernet is pushed up in the blend, while there is no Franc at all.* - 05/2020

Vinous.com – 94 pts – NM: *The 2017 Léoville-Barton, which is aged in 60% new oak, is endowed with far more concentration on the nose compared to the Langoa with layers of blackberry, dark plum, violet and orange pith scents that are beautifully defined. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, so fresh and vibrant, silky smooth in texture with a vivid, refined finish. There is a sense of panache about this Léoville-Barton, a fabulous wine for the vintage.* - 02/2020