Château Léoville Barton - Saint-Julien 1997 6b11bd6ba9341f0271941e7df664d056

Wine Advocate

86 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2000

The elegant, spice box, cedary, oaky, red and black currant-scented and flavored 1997 Leoville Barton reveals surprising softness, medium body, low acidity, and ripe tannin. Drink it over the next decade. I would not be surprised to see it improve in the bottle, and possibly merit a higher score.

Wine Spectator

88 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe1/31/2000

Good berry, mineral character, with a hint of chocolate. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a fresh finish. Drink now

Wine Advocate

85-87 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/1999

A successful wine, the dark ruby-colored 1997 is soft and fruity, with medium body, and good roundness, charm, and character. It will drink well after bottling this spring, and should evolve nicely for a decade or more. Anticipated maturity: 2001-2012.

Wine Advocate

87-89 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/1998

Leoville-Barton's 1997, which was harvested between September 16 and 28 (Anthony Barton claimed it "wasn't worth waiting" past the 28th to harvest since the grapes had nothing more to gain), is a dense ruby/purple-colored wine with more tannin and structure than many of its peers. There is plenty of structure to this virile, more backward 1997. The sweet nose of peppery fruit and black cherries intermixed with toast and cassis is alluring. The wine has a soft middle, but the tannic power is noticeable. This is not exactly a vin de garde, but for the vintage it will be uncommonly long-lived. Moreover, it will not be a 1997 to drink immediately after bottling. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2016