2008 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 75% cabernet sauvignon, 23% 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
Fragrant nose of dark fruits, sweet spices, cigar box, cedar, graphite and hints of violets, dense mouthfeel with cashmere-like texture, fine structure and excellent depth, multilayered flavours of black cherry, blackcurrant, apricot, dark chocolate, liquorice and vanilla beans interlaced with savoury mineral undertones, well-embedded acidity and polished tannins carrying through a long, precise finish. Though largely eclipsed by the two ensuing vintages, this 2008 is very enjoyable on its own merits, actually one of the finest wines from a year where the best have fared much better than initially expected. Classic Léoville Barton to the core, it’s well-balanced, ripe and fleshy, yet remarkably focused and leisurely displaying amazing fruit purity throughout the palate. Approachable much earlier that its siblings from greater years, it’s utterly seductive at 16 years old, not least for the enchanting duality of confident drive and mouthwatering freshness that had me irresistibly drawn to its innate charm. (09/2024)