2006 Saint-Julien, Château Léoville Barton
About Producer
Léoville Barton was created from the division of Domaine de Léoville in 1826 when part of the vineyard was bought by Irishman Hugh Barton who came to Bordeaux in 1786 to run the wine merchant company his grandfather Thomas created in 1725. Nearly two centuries later, the property still belongs to the Barton family, a rather rare occurrence in Bordeaux. The Léoville Barton we know today owes much to Anthony Barton who took over the reins from his uncle Ronald in 1983. A larger than life character, Anthony Barton (1930-2022) put a halt to the period of disappointing vintages in the 1970s and spearheaded a spectacular revival with a string of sensational, well-structured and highly consistent wines that has continued ever since. Having joined the family business in 1978, Lilian, Anthony’s daughter, took over from her father in running the property in 2010. She has been joined since by her two children, Mélanie and Damien.
Varietals
Blend of 78% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot and 2% cabernet franc.
About Appellation
Sandwiched between Margaux and Pauillac, Saint-Julien AOC is home to 11 grands crus classés in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification. The 910ha vineyards sit on a top layer of gravel on clay and limestone soil covered with large white stones ('galets'). While there are traces of vines planted here since the 8th century, extensive viticulture only started off in the 17th century when members of the local nobility and bourgeoisie created large vineyards. Like most of the Médoc, cabernet sauvignon reigns supreme, followed by merlot which plays an invariably supporting role. There are also lesser plantings of cabernet franc and petit verdot. The best estates have vines planted on gentle slopes along the Gironde estuary where terroir and micro-climate are the finest.
Tasting Notes
Enthralling nose of dark berry fruits, tobacco, cedar, vanilla, balsamic notes and violets, rich mouthfeel with taffetas-like texture, excellent concentration and good depth, oodles of flavours of black cherry, black currant, liquorice, cinnamon, nutmeg and sous-bois intermingled with mineral undertones, well-knit acidity and powdery tannins carrying through a long, precise finish. More often than not, Léoville Barton requires a bit of patience and at 17 years old, this is a superb wine that has nicely turned the corner towards drinkability. It’s rich and dense, yet composed elegance and subtle complexity are in full display on the palate. Though not the showstopper of greater years, its alluring intensity and remarkable freshness make it one of the finest wines to come out of the 2006 vintage. (09/2023)