Chateau Leoville Barton 2018

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Attraktive Edelholznuancen, schwarze Beeren, ein Hauch von Lakritze, Noten von frischen Orangenzesten, vielschichtiges Bukett. Saftig, reife Kirschen, dezente Extraktsüße, seidige, reife Tannine, finessenreiche Struktur, saliner Nachhall, sehr gute Länge, zeigt tolle Harmonie und Länge, ein Klassiker. (2025–2060)"

JAMES SUCKLING: "Sweet berries, blackberries, raspberries and violets follow through to a full body with extremely creamy, polished tannins that caress the palate. It’s really long and polished. Gorgeous finish. Drink after 2025."

WEINWISSER: "Tiefes Purpurrot mit opaker Mitte. Berauschendes Bouquet mit einer vollen Ladung schwarzer Beeren, Koriander und schwarzem Pfeffer, dahinter edle Cassiswürze und dunkle Schokotrüffel. Am komplexen Gaumen mit cremiger Textur, engmaschigem Tanningerüst und muskulösem Körper, herrlicher Extraktfülle und dabei eine ungeheure Souplesse zeigend. Im katapultartigen Finale mit Wildkirsche, hellem Tabak und Schlehensaft. Dieser St.-Julien wird Ihnen den Atem rauben und gehört in jeden gut sortierten Weinkeller."

JEB DUNNUCK: "This estate has been on fire in recent vintages, and the 2018 Château Léoville Barton is up there with the best of them. Based on 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Merlot that was brought up in 60% new French oak, this classic, flawlessly balanced, straight-up awesome Saint-Julien has loads of cassis and mulberry fruits as well as notes of freshly sharpened pencils, leafy tobacco, chocolate, and earth. Rich, medium to full-bodied, and concentrated on the palate, it has building tannins and healthy acidity, yet the fruit is pure, perfectly ripe, and wonderfully integrated with all the wine's components. As is normal with this cuvée, it closes down with extended air and is going to take a solid 8-10 years of bottle age to reach the early stages of maturity. It's going to evolve for 30-40 years in cold cellars."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "With a dark, inky, purple accented hue, the perfume pops with all its ripe, blackberry and currants, accompanied by cigar box, forest floor, herbs, cedar and cigar wrapper notes. Full-bodied, concentrated, powerful, yet refined, the finish is deep, long and intense. Wait at least a decade before pulling a cork. It is going to be difficult to pick the best vintage of Leoville Barton from the 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016 and 2018 but it is going to be fun tasting them together over the next several decades. The wine blends 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18%."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "In this wine, fine and rich tannins partner with powerful black-plum and black-currant fruits. Densely textured while also having swathes of rich fruits, the wine shows both a firm side and one that offers total deliciousness. As it matures, both these aspects will come together. Drink from 2027."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Cassis, crushed plum and steeped blackberry fruit is all packed into this wine, along with tar, violet and roasted apple wood notes, plus a terrific tug of warm earth. Shows lots of energy in reserve, with a tightly knit finish pulling everything together. Cellaring required. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2026 through 2040."

DECANTER: "Well-polished blackcurrant, cassis and bilberry, everything pretty silky and firm. Not fully showing its generosity at this point but no question that it is going to get there soon. Clear charcoal, graphite and woodsmoke as it opens up. A ton of life ahead, and an appealing sense of mint freshness. Lives up to its en primeur promise - this is Léoville Barton at its most confident. Drinking Window 2026 - 2040"

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Léoville Barton needs a little swirling to coax out delicate notions of fresh blackberries, mulberries and cassis, plus touches of pencil shavings, clove oil, charcoal and black truffles. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers a great intensity of earth and mineral-laced black fruit flavors, supported by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing on a lingering ferrous note. Give it a good 4-5 years in bottle and drink it over the next 20 years+."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "In this wine, fine and rich tannins partner with powerful black-plum and black-currant fruits. Densely textured while also having swathes of rich fruits, the wine shows both a firm side and one that offers total deliciousness. As it matures, both these aspects will come together. Drink from 2027."