Léoville Barton - Saint-Julien 2022

Alexandre Ma

97

byAlexandre Mathe3/10/2025

I have said that the allure of Château Léoville Barton cannot be fully appreciated during its En Primeur stage, yet based on my understanding of this winery, a decade of aging marks the inception of its ascent towards the pinnacle. Owing to the clay hidden beneath the gravel, the grapes exhibit no signs of dehydration, resulting in abundant fruit aromas, a pure palate, and an acidity as fluid as drifting clouds. The delicate violet floral notes seem to glisten with dew, while the finish is imbued with nuanced bitterness. Each detail is flawlessly honed, akin to a precision timepiece crafted by a master Swiss watchmaker, unwaveringly accurate for decades. It merits a place in the collection of every connoisseur who cherishes Saint-Julien.

Wine Advocate

97

byWilliam Kelleythe3/7/2025

The 2022 Léoville Barton is performing brilliantly in bottle, wafting from the glass with aromas of cassis, pencil shavings, pen ink, cigar box and spices. Medium to full-bodied, suave and velvety, it's dense and concentrated, with terrific energy and persistence. As readers will remember, it's the first vintage produced in the estate's new winery, which more than doubled the number of vats, permitting sub-plot by sub-plot harvesting and vinification, along with a number of other technical improvements that translate into enhanced purity and precision.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

98

byJane Ansonthe3/7/2025

Retains signature character and architecture, combined with a come-hither ripeness that is all about the 2022 vintage. A brilliant wine, luscious and supple with cassis and bilberry, damson and black cherry along with cocoa bean and mandarin. Delivers confidence and ageability. The Barton family continue to make this wine unmissable.

The Wine Cellar Insider

97

byJeff Levethe3/4/2025

Léoville Barton, Château

Jeb DUNNUCK

98

byJeb Dunnuckthe2/28/2025

Cassis, graphite, smoky tobacco, violets, and a wonderful sense of minerality all emerge from the 2022 Château Léoville Barton, a riveting Saint-Julien that shows the style of this estate while bringing the richness and depth of the vintage. Full-bodied, concentrated, and powerful, it has enough tannins to warrant a decade of cellaring and will have 30+ years of prime drinking. I’d put this up with the finest Léoville Barton I’ve tasted, as well as with the truly greats of the vintage.

Yvesbeck.wine

97

byYves Beckthe2/25/2025

83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc Léoville Barton affiche de la sérénité et de la profondeur. Il révèle quelque peu son élevage, mais celui- ci n'est pas dominant, il ne fait qu'accompagner les éléments présents et plébiscite l'ensemble olfactif. Élégantes nuances florales et fruitées avec des notes de pivoines, de baies noires et d'eucalyptus. En bouche, le vin convainc par sa finesse et par son aptitude à canaliser une puissance pourtant évidente, confortée par des tannins compacts, charnus, suaves et parfaitement intégrés, tandis que la fraîcheur se manifeste avec pertinence, malgré un contexte dense et puissant. Que d'harmonie, d'élégance. Une véritable force tranquille. 2028-2057 97/100

Vinous

97

byNeal Martinthe2/12/2025

The 2022 Léoville Barton, the second vintage made in the new winery, was the first to be completely gravity-fed instead of using pumps. It has a magnificent bouquet that fulfills my admittedly lofty expectations given its showing from barrel, blessed with an almost pixelated quality that previous vintages perhaps lacked. The nose is very precise with pure black fruit and fine mineralité. Elegant and poised, the medium-bodied palate features finely chiseled tannins and just the right amount of bitterness on the finish. Very persistent—a Saint-Julien you just don't want to finish. This ranks among the finest in the appellation.

Vinous

95

byAntonio Gallonithe1/28/2025

The 2022 Léoville Barton is superb. Soaring aromatics are immediately arresting. Beautifully precise and nuanced, the 2022 is all finesse. The style of this warm, dry vintage is very much in evidence, and yet Léoville Barton retains a gorgeous sense of classicism. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2022 is very, very young. Its quality and pedigree are beyond reproach.

Wine Spectator

97

byJames Molesworththe1/27/2025

Violet and iris notes hint at its purity, while the cold cast iron– and charcoal-accented structure warns that patience is required. In between is a core that offers sleek refinement, with shimmering cassis, plum and black cherry puree. Tightly drawn through the pinpoint finish, but everything is in proportion. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2030 through 2050. 10,800 cases made.

The Wine Independent

96-98

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe12/20/2023

The 2022 Leoville Barton is deep garnet-purple in color. It jumps from the glass with notes of crème de cassis, plum preserves, and blueberry compote, followed by hints of Indian spices, mossy tree bark, and crushed rocks. The medium to full-bodied palate is rich and decadent, with firm, yet velvety, tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and spicy.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

94

byJane Ansonthe12/6/2023

Bang on classic, extremely well balanced and enjoyable, rich cassis and blueberry, black tea, cloves, earthy. Tannins are present, a little austere but in no way drying and this should age well for a good 15 to 20 years. There's an emotional reason to buy this 2021 vintage also, if you are fan of Léoville Barton, as Anthony Barton, long-term owner and Bordeaux legend, died in January 2022. 60% new oak. Tasted twice.

Decanter.com

96

byGeorgina Hindlethe5/25/2023

Chewy, lively, bright, clean, intense, sleek, sharp and straight - this has it all. Excellent definition and poise, refined but still full of life and flavour. Appealing shots of milk chocolate, blackcurrant, black cherry and fragranced flowers. Not so dense or layered or plush, more lean, and straightforward but lovely detail and precision to the tannins balancing the density of fruit and energy of the lively acidity. Fun, serious, fruity, mineral - lots going on here. Simply gorgeous! I love it. Harvest 8-23 September. Yield of 30hl/ha.

Alexandre Ma

97-98

byAlexandre Mathe5/17/2023

I have said that the allure of Château Léoville Barton cannot be fully appreciated during its En Primeur stage, yet based on my understanding of this winery, a decade of aging marks the inception of its ascent towards the pinnacle. Owing to the clay hidden beneath the gravel, the grapes exhibit no signs of dehydration, resulting in abundant fruit aromas, a pure palate, and an acidity as fluid as drifting clouds. The delicate violet floral notes seem to glisten with dew, while the finish is imbued with nuanced bitterness. Each detail is flawlessly honed, akin to a precision timepiece crafted by a master Swiss watchmaker, unwaveringly accurate for decades. It merits a place in the collection of every connoisseur who cherishes Saint-Julien.

Vinous

96-98

byNeal Martinthe5/17/2023

The 2022 Léoville Barton was picked between 8 and 23 September at 30hL/ha and matured in 60% new oak. This represents the first vintage that has been vinified using gravity and cuvons (basically vats on wheels!) in their newly-built winery. The nose makes an instant impact with intense black cherry, bilberry and violet aromas. A nuanced estuarine/oyster shell scent emerges with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with finely-chiseled tannins, fabulous precision, a killer line of acidity and more mineralité on the finish, that it knows what to do with. This is a precision-tooled Léoville Barton with the sharpness of a samurai sword. The 2022 marks the start of a new and glorious chapter for the Saint-Julien estate, which passes in the slipstream of the 22019 and 2022. It constitutes the finest Léoville Barton that I have tasted out of barrel. Tasted three times.

The Vintage Journal

95-96

byAndrew Caillard MWthe5/17/2023

Deep crimson. Impressively balanced wine with classic blackcurrant, cedar, hint marzipan/ vanilla/ nougat aromas and flavours, persistent grainy bittersweet textures, and superb mid palate density. Finishes cedar firm with aniseed notes. All the hallmarks of a classic claret style. (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc 60% new oak)

matthewjukes.com

18,5

byMatthew Jukesthe5/15/2023

The Wine Independent

95-97

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/15/2023

The 2022 Leoville Barton is composed of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11.5% Merlot, and 5.5% Cabernet Franc, ageing in 60% new oak. Deep garnet-purple in color, the glass needs quite a lot of swirling to bring out evocative notes of black currant jelly, boysenberry preserves, and juicy plums, plus suggestions of pencil shavings, lilacs, crushed rocks, and cinnamon toast. The elegantly styled, medium to full-bodied palate is very tightly wound with layer upon layer of black fruits and earthy nuances, framed by super-ripe, fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and minerally. It will likely require some patience, but it promises to be a knock-out. Yields this year were 30 hectoliters per hectare, which isn’t too bad considering how tiny the berries were this year.

Yvesbeck.wine

96-97

byYves Beckthe5/10/2023

Le bouquet de Léoville Barton se révèle progressivement. Il commence par afficher des nuances d'élevage, mais celles-ci cèdent rapidement la place des parfums de baies noires et de graphite. Friand et compact en bouche, le vin est puissant grâce à des tannins compats, mais également suaves. Ils reflètent une sorte de sérénité ce qui souligne leur subtilité, confirmée par leur aptitude à être de pair avec la structure acide qui dynamise littéralement la fin de bouche. Un vin harmonieux, puissant, apte à défier les années à venir et qui nous rappelle de manière brillante que la finesse et la vigueur sont des partenaires fiables. Comme à son accoutumé, Léoville Barton ne cherche pas la démonstration, il brille de sa force tranquille.

Bettane & Desseauve

95-96

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/10/2023

Grand corps, grande couleur, vin complet, il faudra attendre encore un peu pour que son tannin s’harmonise.

Jeb DUNNUCK

94-96

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/10/2023

The 2022 Château Léoville Barton is another pretty, elegant wine from this talented team. A blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11.5 % Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, its ruby/purple hue is followed by a beautiful perfume of ripe red and black fruits, smoked tobacco, graphite, and violets. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, it has fine tannins, a supple, elegant mouthfeel, and a great finish. It's surprisingly approachable yet I wouldn't be surprised to see this firm up over the course of its élevage. 94-96+

Vinous

93-95

byAntonio Gallonithe5/9/2023

The 2022 Léoville Barton is a total model of classicism, even in this warm, dry year. All of the Léoville Barton signatures are present, even if the wine is still coming together. Blue/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, gravel and dried herbs open nicely in the glass, but it is the wine’s energy and overall tension that I find most surprising. This is classic as classic gets. Not interested in making the richest or showiest wines, nor interested in jacking up prices as high as they can be. Readers will find a straightforward (in the best sense of the term) Saint-Julien that captures the best of what Bordeaux can be. Just enough of everything, but not too much of any one thing. Drinking window : 2032-2052

The Wine Independent

95-97

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/8/2023

The 2022 Leoville Barton is composed of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11.5% Merlot, and 5.5% Cabernet Franc, ageing in 60% new oak. Deep garnet-purple in color, the glass needs quite a lot of swirling to bring out evocative notes of black currant jelly, boysenberry preserves, and juicy plums, plus suggestions of pencil shavings, lilacs, crushed rocks, and cinnamon toast. The elegantly styled, medium to full-bodied palate is very tightly wound with layer upon layer of black fruits and earthy nuances, framed by super-ripe, fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and minerally. It will likely require some patience, but it promises to be a knock-out. Yields this year were 30 hectoliters per hectare, which isn’t too bad considering how tiny the berries were this year.

The Wine Cellar Insider

96-98

byJeff Levethe5/5/2023

With waves of sweet, perfectly ripe, luscious blackberries, you also find cassis, black cherries, creamy tannins, cigar box, lead pencil, and spice. The wine is deep in color with intensity, layers of fruit, and a finish that takes hold of your palate, and doesn't want to let go, leaving you with fruit that builds and resonates. The wine is a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11.5% Merlot and 5.5% Cabernet Franc, 14.1% ABV. The harvest took place September 8 - September 23. The yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2028-2060.

Wine Advocate

96-97

byWilliam Kelleythe5/2/2023

One of the stars of the Médoc and a wine likely to equal or surpass its 2019 and 2016 counterparts, the 2022 Léoville Barton unwinds in the glass with deep aromas of cassis, pencil shavings, spices and tobacco leaf, followed by a medium to full-bodied, deep and layered palate that's vibrant, pure and seamless, with beautifully classy tannins and a long, penetrating finish. The 2022 is a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11.5% Merlot and 5.5% Cabernet Franc; and it's the first vintage produced in the estate's new winery, which more than doubled the number of vats, permitting sub-plot by sub-plot harvesting and vinification, along with a number of other technical improvements which translate into enhanced purity and precision. 96 - 97+

Jamessuckling.com

95-96

byJames Sucklingthe4/19/2023

Very polished and poised with blackberry and blueberry character. Medium body with tight and focused tannin tension. Lively finish. Harmonious for the vintage.