Château Léoville Barton - Saint-Julien 2016

Wein Wisser

19 / 20

the5/22/2017

86 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 14 % Merlot, die exakt gleiche Assemblage wie beim Jahrgang 2015. Extrem tiefes Purpur mit schwarzer Mitte und violettem Rand. Ein Parfüm zum Ausflippen: Viel Veilchen und satte eidelbeerfrucht, dahinter Brombeergelee und Kokos. Am Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, vereint perfekt Fülle und Eleganz, im langen Finale mit viel blauen Beeren und Kirschtabak, die lange nachhallen. Von der Gewichtsklasse her ein edergewicht im Vergleich zur Konkurrenz, aber dies macht er mit Finesse und einer unglaublich tiefen Konzentrationeinfach wett!

Le Figaro - L'Avis du Vin

19 / 20

byClub Vinthe5/15/2017

Nez de jolis fruits rouges, cerise griotte, floral, profond. Bouche ample, belle attaque, tannins élégants, finale superbe. Très belle réussite.

Bettane & Desseauve

96-97 / 100

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/3/2017

Grande droiture, équilibre en acidité remarquable, petites notes racées au nez, entre le cèdre et le havane typique des Léoville. Il pourrait gagner un demi-point après mise si la prise de bois est harmonieuse. Il le mérite.

Wine Advocate

93-95 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/2/2017

The 2016 Leoville-Barton is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot picked from 29 September until 13 October, matured in 60% new oak and delivering 13% alcohol. It has a more intense bouquet compared to the Langoa-Barton, plenty of intense blackberry and raspberry fruit, minerals, cedar and a hint of licorice. The palate is a little chewy on the entry with good grip in the mouth. This demonstrates the backbone of the finish, just the right amount of spiciness with excellent salinity on the long finish. It is not a once-in-a-lifetime Leoville Barton, but (as usual) it just seems to do everything right. Maybe it's not quite up there with the stellar 2015 Léoville Barton, which I re-tasted at the time, but it is not far off.

The Wine Cellar Insider

94-96 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/27/2017

A nose of blackberry, licorice, earth and smoky tobacco is easy to notice. Darkly colored, Full bodied, rich, fresh, long and sweet, there is a reflection coming off the ample tannins and lift that accentuates the densely textured, fruit-filled finish. This wine leaves a great impression. Produced from blending 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot, the wine reached 13% alcohol. The harvest took place September 29 to October 13.

Vinous

93-96 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe4/26/2017

The 2016 Léoville-Barton is superb. Precision, nuance and delineation are the signatures in a wine that speaks to class above all else. Eloquent and nuanced to the core, the 2016 is simply magnificent. There is a fair bit of tannin, but the grain is very, very fine. The 2016 is not a huge Léoville-Barton, but it is a wine of nobility and pedigree. Tasted two times.

matthewjukes.com

18 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/25/2017

(86 Cabernet Sauvignon, 14 Merlot) | 60% new oak | 13% alc. With exactly the same statistics and also the same blend as the 2015 vintage you could not have imagined two such different wines. The nose is more open and the palate is more focussed and closed than the 2015 (Lilian Sartorious always shows the last two vintages at her tastings). It was amazing how contrasting these wines are and, of course, the weather is the reason. In 2016, this wine is elongated and slightly less exuberant but it is also seemingly fruitier and more expressive. The oak is very sexy, with cinnamon touches overlaying the sleek cassis fruit. Which vintage do I prefer – I think that the 2016 has the edge. 18+

Decanter.com

96 / 100

byJane Ansonthe4/24/2017

Restrained but textured, a confident delivery of lashings of cassis, bilberry and blackberry fruits. This is an exceptional Léoville-Barton that sacrifices none of its St-Julien signature while delivering a powerful, beautifully sculpted wine. This is a total triumph, my favourite for years at this property. Drinking Window 2027 - 2050.

Jancis Robinson

18 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/21/2017

Dark blackish purple. Less obviously aromatic than Langoa. Tea-leaf notes. Round texture with gloriously ripe tannins. Really a standout Barton. So unusually supple! Yet with masses of tannins underneath. This will surely be one of the vintage's longer-living wines. Glorious texture and flavour. Utterly minerally dry, but not drying. Very good freshness – much fresher than many of its peers. Real energy.

Wine Enthusiast

97-99 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/19/2017

Barrel Sample. This is a powerful wine, with superb tannins and blackberry fruits. It has a dense texture allied to stylish fruitiness and acidity. The result is a wine with the potential to age over a long period of time, while probably showing well starting in 2028.

Wine Spectator

96-99 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/10/2017

This packs some serious punch and drive, with a terrific core of blueberry, açai and plum reduction notes, backed by waves of graphite and roasted apple wood. Has the pleasantly chewy feel typical of St.-Julien, along with an extra-racy graphite edge.—J.M.

Jamessuckling.com

95-96 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/5/2017

Tight and chewy with a solid tannin structure and depth of fruit. Full body and lots of depth and texture. A Barton with lots happening already. Develops beautifully on the palate. Should be better than the 2015.