Tasting notes

2007:  A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot.  Subdued aromatics, although with plenty of soft red fruits on the palate.  Lovely fine structure and excellent linear purity, with soft, fine tannin and juicy acidity.  Very silky, with good fruit weight, this is a most enjoyable wine.  91-94 points, drink 2012-2022.  April 2010.

2006:  Soft yet fragrant aromas of florals, rose, cassis.  Very fine, persistent tannins on the palate, with lovely mineral and blackcurrant flavours.  The wine is quite firm on the palate - a vin de garde - but there is enough fruit and acidity to find plenty to like.  Very good complexity and length, a lovely if structured wine. 92-94

points, drink 2015-2025 (April 2008).

2005:  Quite closed aromatically, but with coaxing reveals loads of mineral, floral, cassis and blackcurrant aromas.  On the palate the wine is enormous!  Loads of fine-yet-firm tannin and fresh acidity frame the ripe, quite powerful fruit.  Very good complexity already, with a long, fine and quite pure finish, this is a really impressive wine.  Wonderful lingering red fruits on the finish.  Will doubtless age superbly.  95 points, drink 2010-2035 (April 2008).

2004:  A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.  From barrel the wine showed fine fruit aromas, savoury and subdued, of plum, musk and minerals. On the palate there are fine, firm tannins, a lovely savoury, mouth-filling structure, good acidity and balance, and a long, fine finish.  Classic.  90-93 points, drink 2012-2030 (April 2005).  From bottle the wine was soft, reserved, and restrained, with fine and delicate fruit flavours of plum and blackcurrants.  Lovely minerality and acidity, good complexity and an attractive finish, this is an attractive if not profound wine.  89 points, drink now-2024.  (April 2008).

2003:  Ripe and somewhat baked aromas of cassis, mineral and toasted brioche.  On the paalte the wine is rich and concentrated, but showing a hint of sur-maturite with plum, stewed black fruits and smoky/toasted oak.  Quite complex and rich, with a lengthy finish, this wine has somewhat blocky tannins and an unfront character, lacking finesse and suppleness on the finish.  An immediately, upfront attractive style but I harbour reservations on its longevity.  90 points, drink now-2015.  August 2007.

1999:  Firm yet fine tannins, lovely fruit, good complexity and length.  Serious wine, made in a lovely and appealing style.  92 points, drink now-2020.  April 2008.

1998:  A very impressive wine from a mixed vintage.  Gentle and impressive aromas of sweet red fruits, minerals and a hint of smoky cassis.  On the palate the wine has impressive depth and complexity, with a somewhat exotic character - smoke and funky minerals.  A really lovely style, with impressive length and freshness of finish.  Good secondary development and complexity.  93 points.  Drink now-2020.  April 2008.

Click here to return to top.

Click here to return to Château Léoville-Barton.