2020 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien

The wine shows both elegance and great richness. It is a poised and ripe wine, full of impressive black fruits and generous tannins. The fine structure gives considerable potential for the long term. (RV)

Tasted alongside the other two Barton wines – Mauvesin and Langoa – this seeks to outshine with a nose of dark and curranty fruits, slate, liquorice, tar and a touch of green peppercorn. And outshine it does. This dark but lifted sense of composed concentration is translated in precise fashion onto the palate, which is packed out with dark and polished fruits, showing density but also drive and tension, beneath which there hides a firm but imposing grip. This is full of energy and very impressive, and is clearly set for the long haul. An absolutely top notch example of the château’s style which does everything my palate desires.