If you want a mind blowing deal on Bordeaux a great rule of thumb is to check out a prestigious domain's second label, in this case Leoville-Barton's 2019 La Reserve de Leoville Barton, St. Julien. Add a lauded vintage, like the lively and energetic 2019s and you have a formula for choosing a great wine at an excellent price. 2019 is considered a great opulent vintage with ripe, but not overripe, fruit that gives them immediate approachability, as well as depth and structure that give them longevity. The La Reserve hits all those notes. The blend is 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. Expressive, intense dark fruit (think blackberry, black currant), graphite, violets, herbal notes, licorice, and chewy but integrated tannins. This is a really yummy easy-to-drink Bordeaux with power and finesse from a top notch producer and vintage.

The 2019 La Réserve de Léoville Barton offers a beautifully polished expression of Saint-Julien elegance. Aromatically, it opens with ripe black cherry and red plum, layered with notes of dried rose petals and subtle baking spice. On the palate, the wine is supple and creamy, with fine-grained tannins and just the right lift of acidity to keep things vibrant. Hints of cedar and graphite bring a classic Left Bank character, while the fruit remains front and center, juicy yet composed. As the second wine of the legendary Léoville Barton estate, this cuvée benefits from the same rigorous winemaking, offering exceptional value and approachability. Still youthful but already expressive, it’s a great window into the 2019 vintage’s balance and charm. And at under $40, it’s one of the smartest buys from a top-tier Bordeaux château.