Leoville Barton 2010 (1.5L)

97 JD / 97 DE / 96+ WA

Clearly one of the all-time greats from this château (it actually reminds me a little of the 1990), the 2010 Château Léoville Barton reveals a still youthful ruby hue as well as a textbook Barton bouquet of pure dark currants, savory tobacco, saddle leather, graphite, and subtle spicy oak. It's beautifully concentrated, with a full-bodied, deep, layered mouthfeel, still present yet sweet, polished tannins, and a regal, focused style that is quintessential Léoville Barton. This brilliant, majestic wine should be sought out by wine lovers. It clearly offers pleasure today yet has probably not quite reached its prime drinking window. Give bottles another 4-5 years and enjoy over the following 30+. Bravo to the team at this terrific chateau. March 2024. - Jeb Dunnuck

77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc. One of the more elegant wines from the 2010 vintage, this can be approached earlier than some; but that's not to underplay the power and complexity on display here. Layer upon layer of flavour, with lashings of St-Julien charcoal, pencil lead and blackcurrants.-Jane Anson, Decanter

A splendid showing, much stronger from bottle than it was from barrel, the Leoville Barton is one of the spectacular wines of the vintage. Inky purple to the rim, its huge tannin gives this wine real potential for 30-50 years of longevity. It is a classic, powerful Bordeaux made with no compromise. A superstar of the vintage, the wine has notes of pen ink and creme de cassis, good acidity, sweet, subtle oak, and massive extraction and concentration. I thought it was one of the most backward wines of the vintage two years ago, and nothing has changed in the ensuing upbringing of the wine in cask except that the wine now seems even richer, denser and fuller than I previously thought. The beautiful purity, symmetry, and huge finish of nearly a minute make this one of the all-time great classics from Leoville Barton. Anticipated maturity: 2028-2065+.-Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate