Chateau Leoville Barton 2010

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "This is a magnificently solid wine, initially even a bit severe. At this young stage, the tannins dominate, but it's also full of black fruit notes. Very dense and concentrated, this is a wine that's even better than the legendary 2005. The structure tells of its extraordinary aging potential: don't even attempt to drink this for 10 years. "

JAMES SUCKLING: "Aromas of pure blackberries and violets follow through to a full body, with super velvety tannins and a delicious balance of sweet fruit, light vanilla and nuts. Really savory and beautiful. Superb wine. I like this better than 2009. Try in 2018."

DECANTER: "Love the depth and the power of this, it grips the walls of the glass. These tannins are muscular and yet ready to roll and still so powerful that you can't help but smile. The cassis fruits are concentrated and layered with tobacco, slate, pencil lead and smoked earth. Hard not to recommend this wine."

JEB DUNNUCK: "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."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "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+."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Takes a modern approach, with dark mocha- and espresso-infused toast leading the way, featuring an extra ganache kicker before dark currant preserves and roasted plum fruit strides in. Dense and extracted through the polished finish, this features a charcoal spine that gives rise to extra blueberry and pastis notes. Should cruise in the cellar. Best from 2018 through 2038. 13,750 cases made."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe. In der Nase mit feiner Kräuterwürze ausstaffierte dunkle Beerenfrucht, zarte tabakige Nuancen, ein Hauch von Zedernholz im Hintergrund. Saftig, elegant, rotbeerig, feine Tannine, frische Säurestruktur, reife Zwetschgen, zarte Extraktsüße im Abgang, bereits harmonisch, lebendig, mineralische Nuancen im Rückgeschmack, großes Zukunftspotenzial."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Crisp, crunchy, vibrantly styled, classic Bordeaux that is concentrated, full-bodied, bright, and lifted, with a core of sweet red fruits, spice, and cigar box aromatics. Still youthful, if you prefer more fruit with crunch, you can enjoy this now. Otherwise, give it a few more years as this is a candidate for long-term aging. Drink from 2023-2060."

WEINWISSER: "77 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 21 % Merlot, 2 % Cabernet Franc. 40 hl/ha. Sattes Purpur-Granat. Nobles Bouquet mit viel würzigem, tiefgründigem Cabernet-Touch, Brombeeren und Cassis und Palisandernoten. Seidiger Gaumen, lang geformt, mit eleganter Adstringenz, Lakritze und wieder viel Cassis im sehr langen Finale, bei dem man sich dann hinten etwas mehr Druck gewünscht hätte."