Castle Léoville Barton - Saint-Julien 2014

Jamessuckling.com

94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/16/2017

Very aromatic with cherries and blackberries. Hints of flowers. Full body, lightly chewy yet ultra-fine tannins and a fresh finish. Tangy and delicious. Racy. Better in 2021.

Vinous

93 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe2/6/2017

The 2014 Léoville-Barton shows remarkable freshness and overall vivacity. Succulent black cherry, plum, violet and blood orange create a distinctive combination of dark fruit and brisk, pulsating acidity. Today, the 2014 comes across as very tight and closed, which is probably good thing for the future. Readers should plan on cellaring the 2014 for at least a few years. Tasted two times.

Wine Enthusiast

95 / 100

byRoger Vossthe2/2/2017

Wine Spectator

94 / 100

the1/4/2017

This has beguiling hints of plum cake and melted licorice peeking out, while a core of cassis and blackberry confiture waits in reserve. There’s ample grip, but this remains very polished and integrated, with lovely echoes of anise and fruitcake showing through the very lengthy finish. Will be hard to keep your hands off this while it ages. Best from 2019 through 2035. From France.—J.M.

Le Point

18,5 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/21/2015

Nez fermé, encre, bouche large, savoureuse, juteuse, tendu, très pur, dynamique, long, raffiné. 

Vinous

91-94 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe5/11/2015

A fabulous wine from this venerable estate, the 2014 Léoville-Barton is super-impressive today. Dark red stone fruits, wild flowers, mint, spices and raspberry all show the inflections of invigorating freshness that are such a signature of the vintage. Hints of crème de cassis, blackberry jam, graphite, brioche, grilled herbs and spice add nuance on an inky finish that gains weight over time. Today, the 2014 is embryonic, but I won't be surprised if it grows considerably over the coming years. The blend is 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Tasted two times.

The Wine Cellar Insider

92-94 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/5/2015

With a sweet, ready note of vanilla and cherry, this wine features spicy, crisp dark red fruits and a fresh, bright, tannic finish. Blending 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 13.5% alcohol and is aging in 60% new, French oak barrels. 92-94 Pts

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/30/2015

The Château Léoville-Barton 2014 is a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc picked between 25 September and 8 October and matured in 60% new oak. This is clearly richer and more opulent than the Langoa Barton with small dark cherries, a touch of boysenberry and cedar, more immediate than its “little sister”. The palate is sweet and sappy in the mouth with concentrated black fruit, hints of liquorice coming through on the finish that fans out with a bit of brio. It does not quite possess the clinical precision of Léoville Las-Cases, but there is certainly a lot of substance and length here. Lilian Barton can rightly be proud of this. Tasted on three occasions.

Asian Palate

90-91 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/20/2015

Classic, traditional Saint-Julien with reserved flavors that are dense but subtle with supple tannins in this vintage. As usual, Leoville Barton is restrained, but in this vintage, there is plenty of upfront charm.

Decanter.com

18 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/17/2015

Very fine natural concentration of pure Cabernet-dominated vineyard fruit. More closed than Langoa, severe to start with, but a wine of great clarity, depth and class. Fragance and florality to come – all in balance for a fine future. Drink: 2020-2035 (93)

Jancis Robinson

17,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/16/2015

Dark vibrant crimson. Much sweeter and more opulent on the nose than most St-Juliens. Very firm and rich with real savour and glamour. Smooth texture but no shortage of tannins underneath. A long-term wine. 

Jamessuckling.com

92-93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/10/2015

A very fine and linear Barton with bright raspberries and cherries. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and a long, beautiful finish. Sleek and racy.

timatkin.com

94 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe4/7/2015

René Gabriel

19 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/1/2015

83 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 15 % Merlot, 2 % Cabernet Franc. 60 % neues Holz. Mit 38 Hektoliter pro Hektare wieder eine eher kleinere Ernte. Verkostung auf dem Château: Sattes Purpur-Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Dunkelbeeriger Nasenansatz; Heidelbeeren, Cassis und Brombeeren. Im zweiten Ansatz dunkle Edelhölzer und eine schöne, akzentuierte Cabernetaromatik zeigend. Im Gaumen schon fast seidige Tannine aufweisend, dem entsprechend ist die Adstringenz royal und sehr harmonisch, im gebündelten Finale hält das Aroma lange an. Ein grosser Charme-Barton! Ich habe ihn an der grossen Degustation der Vin de Crus auf Gaffelière noch einmal mit vielen anderen Saint Juliens direkt verglichen. Er verdient seine grosse Note ganz sicher! 19/20 2022 – 2046

Wine Enthusiast

96 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/1/2015

95–97. Barrel Sample. This wine has spice and fresh fruit aromas, which translate on the palate into intense blackberry and wood tastes. It is firmly structured, with a dry core and medium-plus concentration. It promises a long life ahead.

Wine Spectator

92-95 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/30/2015

Mouthfilling from the start, with lovely plum sauce, steeped fig and blackberry coulis flavors, lined with warm ganache
notes and carried by ample but polished tannins. Features a tarry edge at the end, but maintains a rather polished feel
overall. A lovely wine, once again.

My Bettane + Desseauve

95 / 100

Profondeur et structure tannique noble. Grand avenir.

La Revue du Vin de France

17,5-18 / 20

C'est le plus suave et croquant des léoville, le plus tendre et gracieux aussi. La bouche est déja séduisante, le fruit s'exprime beacoup et l'équilibre le rend digeste.

Le Figaro

17,5 / 20

byBernard Burtschy

Le nez est dominé par le cassis et la structure est impressionnante. Belle acidité, le vin est long, frais, plein de potentiel avec un superbe cabernet sauvignon.