Léoville Barton - Saint-Julien 2017

The Wine Independent

96

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe12/20/2023

The 2017 Leoville Barton is deep garnet in color. It waltzes out with a stunning perfume of redcurrant jelly, warm cassis, and Morello cherries, followed by an undercurrent of peonies, dark chocolate, licorice, and wet slate. The medium-bodied palate delivers a firm backbone of beautifully ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness to support the layer upon layer of fruit and floral notes, finishing with great length and poise. Stunning!

Wine Advocate

95

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe3/17/2020

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Léoville Barton charges out of the gate with bold notions of baked plums, crème de cassis and blueberry preserves plus wafts of pencil shavings, fragrant earth and cedar chest. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-coating black fruit preserves with compelling herbal sparks and a firm, grainy texture, finishing long and lively. Drinking Window : 2023 - 2048

Vinous

96

byAntonio Gallonithe3/11/2020

Léoville-Barton is one of the very few wines, from any appellation, that combines power and finesse with such grace in 2017. Rich, deep and wonderfully expressive, the 2017 has so much offer. The high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon comes through loud and clear. Inky dark, fruit, game, spice, mint, licorice and lavender all build in a wine of regal elegance and head spinning beauty. For its combination of quality and price, Léoville-Barton remains one the most consumer-friendly wines of the Left Bank. The blend is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot. The September rains were especially challenging for the Merlot and Cabernet Franc. As a result, Cabernet is pushed up in the blend, while there is no Franc at all.

Wine Spectator

95

byJames Molesworththe2/7/2020

Packed with ripe, lively plum, blackberry and black currant fruit, backed by melted black licorice and bramble accents throughout, this retains a sense of polish despite the energetic fruit and structure. Ends with an encore of warm plum reduction. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2023 through 2037. 10,833 cases made. — JM

Jamessuckling.com

95

byJames Sucklingthe1/13/2020

The purity of cabernet sauvignon really comes through here with currants, blackberries and stones. Perfumed, too. Medium to full body. Very fine, polished tannins and a fresh, fruity finish. This shows a compact palate with a polished, creamy finish. Much higher percentage of cabernet than is usual. Drink after 2023.

Le Point

17-17,5

byJacques Dupontthe6/20/2018

Fruits noirs, mûre, sureau, pulpeux, fine amertume, juteux, long, tanins serrés, droits, très rectiligne, racé.

WeinWisser

18,5

byRené Gabrielthe5/31/2018

93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot. 45 hl/ha. Lese zwi-schen dem 15. bis 18.9. (Merlot) und 22, bis 29.9. (Cabernet). Tiefes Purpurgranat mit violetterai Rand. Was für ein dichtes Fruchtpaket aus Holunder, schwarzen Jo-hannisbeerpastillen sowie Veilchen, lm zweiten Ansatz feine Darjeelingnoten, dunkles Edelholz und schwarzer tasmani-scher Bergpfeffer. Am Gaumen mit rahmi-gen Tanninen und cremiger Textur, ich habe ihn minutenlang im Mund belassen -perfekte Balance, ich bin begeistert! lm langen Finale ein Feuerwerk von blauen Beeren, Rosenholz und ganz zarter Ad-stringenz, Hat nicht ganz die herausragen-de Klasse des 2016er, gehtirt aber ganz klar zur Elite aus St.-Julien und ist wieder ein klarer Best Buy!
18.5/20 2035 - 2050

Vinum

18

byRolf Bichselthe5/30/2018

Reserved on the nose but offering itself up fully on the palate, immensely crisp, fruity, full-bodied, with wonderfully fine-grained tannins, elegant and lingering; utter class. Drink 2028 to 2040

Vinifera

95

byJacques Perrinthe5/28/2018

Fruits noirs rôtis, encens, graphite, nez encore peu diversifié mais très plein. Bouche du même acabit, vineuse, avec un côté charnel et charnu dans les tanins. Sa race s’exprime surtout en finale sur le côté velouté et rare des cabernet dans ce millésime. Grandes promesses et vraie classe.

Jancis Robinson

17

byJulia Harding MWthe5/16/2018

Deepest crimson. Dark, savoury and spicy black fruit with a lovely balsamic note but also a light vanilla sweetness and a more subdued graphite layer. Complex already. On the palate, this is succulent, firm but polished. Tannins are very fine, definite. A harmonious whole and a juicy finish. Drink 2025-2037

Vinous

93-96

byAntonio Gallonithe5/15/2018

One of the few truly exceptional Left Bank wines of the vintage, the 2017 Léoville-Barton is simply fabulous. The 2017 also has the distinction of having a very high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon. Inky crème de cassis, white flowers, lavender, crushed rocks, menthol and spice give the 2017 a distinctly layered, resonant feel. The 2017 offers fabulous density and structure, although the tannins need time. The blend is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot. The September rains were especially challenging for the Merlot and Cabernet Franc. As a result, Cabernet is pushed up in the blend, while there is no Franc at all. Tasted two times.

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95

byJeff Levethe5/11/2018

A striking blood red in color, this wine opens easily with smoldering cedar, tobacco and an unhurried pour of cassis. On the palate, the wine is concentrated, full bodied, fresh and classically styled. Buoyancy, creaminess, smart tannins with a crisp, juicy finish wrap everything up nicely. Blending 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot, the wine reached 13.% alcohol and is aging in 60% new, French oak barrels.

La Revue du Vin de France

17,5-18

byPhilippe Maurangethe5/4/2018

Son nez d'épices et de fruits frais semble jaillir du verre. Fidèle à son style, Léoville Barton est le plus suave des trois Léoville. C'est un vin au velouté admirable et à la finale de dentelle.

Vinous

93-95

byNeal Martinthe5/1/2018

The 2017 Léoville Barton has a high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon this year at 93%, the remainder is Merlot. It was picked between 15 and 18 September for the Merlot and 22 to 29 September for the Cabernet Sauvignon, then aged in 60% new oak. It has a perfumed and pure bouquet that demonstrates a little more cohesion and refinement than some of its Saint-Julien peers. Blackberry and touches of bilberry fruit, cedar and crushed stone – this is a knockout nose with bags of potential. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannin, perfectly pitched acidity and beautifully integrated oak. Seriously, this is nudging (not equaling, nudging!) the 2016 in terms of quality and there are just a handful of properties where I can state that this year.