Château Léoville Barton - Saint-Julien 1995

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

par Robert Parker le 28/02/1998

Somewhat closed and reticent after bottling, but still impressive, this 1995 possesses a dark ruby/purple color, as well as an oaky nose with classic scents of cassis, vanillin, cedar, and spice. Dense and medium to full-bodied, with softer tannin and more accessibility than the 1996, but not quite the packed and stacked effect on the palate, the 1995 is an outstanding textbook St.-Julien that will handsomely repay extended cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2025.

Wine Spectator

93 / 100

par James Suckling le 31/01/1998

Tantalising red, with violet, berry and blackberry aromas and hints of earth. Full-bodied and chewy, with lots of fruit and flavors. Long, velvety finish. Best after 2001.

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

par Robert Parker le 01/01/1998

The 1995 reveals an opaque purple color, followed by a sweet, cassis-scented nose intermingled with roasted herbs and spicy oak. One of the more tannic, backward 1995s, with a 1986-like density, richness, and full-bodied power, this slowly evolving, giant-sized St.-Julien will test the patience of all but the most serious Bordeaux wine enthusiasts. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2030. Last tasted 1/97

Wine Advocate

91-93 / 100

par Robert Parker le 28/02/1997

It is no secret that Anthony Barton's efforts over the last decade at his St.-Julien estate, Leoville-Barton, is resulting in terrific wines at still reasonable prices. This estate has been extremely successful in recent vintages. The 1995 reveals an opaque purple color, followed by a sweet, cassis-scented nose intermingled with roasted herbs and spicy oak. One of the more tannic, backward 1995s, with a 1986-like density, richness, and full-bodied power, this slowly evolving, giant-sized St.-Julien will test the patience of all but the most serious Bordeaux wine enthusiasts. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2030.

Wine Advocate

91-94 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/04/1996

Both the 1994 and 1995 Leoville-Barton were tasted on three separate occasions with identical score ranges. Obviously, Leoville-Barton produced one of the top wines in each vintage. Given the modest pricing policy of proprietor Anthony Barton, these are wines to buy. The 1995 should turn out to be an even greater wine than the 1994 because the Cabernet Sauvignon achieved better ripeness. The wine's acidity is lower, and yields were modest. This muscular, full-bodied, stunningly concentrated and pure wine exhibits that layered, skyscraper-like feeling in the mouth that is symbolic of some of the finest Bordeaux wines. The nose offers up copious quantities of sweet, jammy ripe fruit intertwined with scents of toasty oak. Low acidity gives the wine a voluptuous, thick, unctuous texture (not unlike the 1982), but there is plenty of tannin lurking behind the fruit. When asked if the 1995 represents a blend of this estate's very successful 1985 and 1986, Anthony Barton smiled wryly, and said his 1995 is an "85 1/2." I think it might be an 85 3/4 , but I won't argue the point. This is one of the top wines of the vintage. It will last for 20-25+ years.