Chateau Léoville Barton - Saint-Julien 2011

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

91 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe8/31/2014

Bright, deep red-ruby.  Sexy aromas of raspberry preserves, cola, incense and violet.  Palate-staining red and dark fruit flavors show very good depth, with tangy acidity providing lift.  Silky tannins add shape and grip to the very pure, long finish, which offers lingering notes of cream soda and violet.  Though bigger and deeper than the Langoa Barton, it is not currently displaying that wine's great charm.            

Wine Advocate

88 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/2/2014

88+
Firmly structured, dense and medium-bodied with moderate tannin, this austere and backward yet well-endowed 2011 needs 5-7 years of bottle age. Whether the fruit holds up to the tannic structure remains to be seen, but the dark ruby/purple color, purity and impressive depth as well as concentration augur well for future positive development. Forget this 2011 for 5-6 years and drink it over the following 15-20.

Jamessuckling.com

92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/19/2014

A sleek, refined wine with blueberry, mineral and dried-flower character. Medium to full body with firm tannins. Bright and racy. Better in 2018.      

Wine Spectator

92 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/10/2014

This has some slightly rugged grip, with a prominent charcoal frame. Delivers ample flesh at the core, offering plum cake, currant preserves and smoldering tobacco leaf notes, offset by a tangy hint of anise. Should settle in well enough after modest cellaring. Best from 2016 through 2026. 12,500 cases made.

La Revue du Vin de France

16-16,5 / 20

the5/31/2012

85% de cabernets composent ce vin au profil sérieux, mais pas austère. Il offre une belle droiture de bouche, une grande précision aromatique et un fruit frais. La finale est éclatante. Tout à fait dans l'esprit du cru, avec ce côté juteux qui fait son charme.

Le Point

17 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/17/2012

Fruits noirs, cerise burlat, note épicée, bouche ronde, souple, fraîche, élégante, tendre, milieu de bouche assez séveux, tanins délicats, frais, tendu. O= 2018 G= 15 ans

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

89-92 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe5/12/2012

Opaque purple-ruby. Spicy coffee and cocoa notes complicate plum and blackberry aromas. Fresh and pure on the palate, with enticing blackberry and mineral flavors that could use a bit more flesh and sweetness. Finishes pure and long, with mouthwatering acidity, chewy tannins and a light herbal quality. This very serious Léoville-Barton will make an austere drink if it doesn't develop more fruit and flesh.

TAST

17,5-18 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2012

Un classique du genre en formation : arôme de cèdre et de truffe, texture onctueuse, mais dans le tanin et contrairement aux deux autres Léoville on a l'impression d'une maturité moins aboutie du raisin.

Wein Wisser

18 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/30/2012

Tiefes Purpur, satt in der Mitte, Granatschimmer am Rand. Offenes Bouquet, Zedern wechseln sich mit dunklen Kirschen ab und Kirschen mit Cassis und hellem Tabak, mittlerer Druck. Saftiger, eleganger, seidiger Körpert, wunderschöne Balance, ein Maximum an Harmonie bietend, viel feminine Konturen und somit ein Modell Immerschön von Beginn weg. Vielleicht ist es aber auch ein Barton, den man etwas unterschätzt. 2020-2058

Decanter.com

17,5 / 20

the4/30/2012

Finely expressed intensity of fruit and a firmness of structure over natural aromatic ripeness to give it an assured future. Drink 2017-2035.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2012

Leoville Barton-s 2011 is head and shoulders above its sister offering, Langoa Barton. Although not as backward as I expected given the general style that emerges from Anthony Barton-s beloved St.-Julien estate, this wine will need time in the bottle once it is released in several years. An opaque purple color is followed by aromas of damp earth, underbrush, black currants, cedar and hints of vanillin and incense. Medium to full-bodied and moderately tannic with good acidity as well as excellent delineation and purity, it should be forgotten for 4-5 years, and drunk over the following two decades.(90-92+ points)

Wine Advocate

93-95 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/27/2012

The Leoville Barton has a very elegant bouquet that takes time to unfurl. There are lovely notes of blackberry, dark plum and a touch of graphite. It unfurls beautifully if you lend it five minutes. The palate is very well balanced with fine tannins, good substance, very elegant and refined with a natural, slightly earthy finish that is long in the mouth. Superb persistency – this is one of the top Saint Julien wines. Tasted April 2012

The Wine Cellar Insider

91-93 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/27/2012

From an assemblage of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, the wine will be aged in 80% new oak. The wine reached 12.5% alcohol. According to Anthony Barton, with a little more rain, the wines could have been as good as 2009 or 2010. Deep color with lead pencil, earth, flint, cassis and truffle scents in the nose. Tannic, fresh, bright, crisp cassis is found in the finish. 91-93 Pts

Asian Palate

91-92 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/20/2012

A firm delicious Leoville Barton and very successful given the vintage conditions. The tannins are sturdy but ripe and polished. The savoury flavour profile adds to the blackberry notes. There is a fair amount of restraint, but the wine shows promise that after five or more years of ageing, its true potential will reveal itself. Nice mid palate intensity and long length.

Jancis Robinson

16,5 / 20

byJulia Harding MWthe4/18/2012

Drink 2018-2030
Very very dark and black core. Touch of oak char on the nose with sweet dark fruit hiding underneath. Cool and lithe and on the lean side yet fresh and fluid. Not forcing the vintage. Finishes fresh and really lively. (JH)

Wine Spectator

90-93 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/10/2012

Focused blackberry, currant and cherry sauce flavors show notes of sweet tobacco and nicely roasted spice on the finish, with integrated grip.—J.M.

Wine Enthusiast

95-97 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/4/2012

This wine is immensely dark, powered by black plum and a ripe, complex structure; its elements are already molding into place. Expect great things of this wine. —R.V

Jamessuckling.com

92-93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/1/2012

Very floral with blueberry and blackberry on the nose. Mineral undertones. Full body, with chewy tannins and long intense finish. Serious structure and balance for the vintage.