Château Léoville Barton - Saint-Julien 2013

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

par Neal Martin le 28/10/2016

The 2013 Léoville-Barton has a more backward bouquet compared to the Langoa-Barton 2013, but there is more perfume here with blackberry, a touch of sea spray and cold limestone. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannin, a crisp line of acidity with finesse and elegance on the finish, which is one of the best you'll find in Saint Julien. This finishes with a flourish after a conservative opening and it should yield a decade of pleasure, maybe more. This is a solid showing in a tough vintage.

Wine Spectator

91 / 100

le 31/03/2016

Jamessuckling.com

93 / 100

par James Suckling le 15/02/2016

This is very pretty with currant, plum and chocolate aromas and flavors. Medium to full body, silky mouth feel and a savory finish. Bright and delicious. Drink now or hold.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

par Robert Parker le 29/08/2014

One of the more pigmented and denser colored 2013s, Leoville Barton is atypically forward and tasty at this stage of its development. It possesses a dense ruby/plum color in addition to abundant cassis notes, sound acidity, pure fruit, and a broad, savory mouthfeel. Medium-bodied and packed, it should drink nicely for 10-15 years, and will be one of the longer-lived 2013s.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

86-89 / 100

par Stephen Tanzer le 16/05/2014

Ruby-red.  Aromas of plum, raspberry, coffee and orange peel.  Bright and lively, with an enticing hint of woodsmoke complicating the red berry, citrus and herb flavors.  Offers considerable immediate appeal, but the high acidity and strong dusting of tannins camouflage the little fruit that's present.  Sexy notes of coffee and mocha emerge on the back end, but this is youthfully clenched right now and, much like Langoa, doesn't exactly stand out for its fruit concentration.  Perhaps it will put on some weight with a couple years in bottle.

timatkin.com

94 / 100

par Tim Atkin MW le 07/05/2014

Anthony Barton has a knack of making excellent wines in tricky vintages. This Cabernet Sauvignon dominated blend (85%) has more stuffing than the Langoa. It’s smoothly oaked, refined and well balanced with notes of cedarwood, cassis and spice.

matthewjukes.com

17,5 / 20

par Matthew Jukes le 23/04/2014

(85 Cabernet Sauvignon, 15 Merlot) Yields were 35 hl/ha. New oak is a very controlled 60%. The fruit is strict, tight, focussed and dark. The tannins are firm and grainy but they are complemented by lovely, dark, cassis fruit. There is a touch of blackcurrant leaf and plum, too. The tannins are not too heavy on the finish and it will soften well in the short term. Impressive claret with very nice, classical lines.

Vinous

85-88 / 100

par Antonio Galloni le 18/04/2014

Dark red cherry, plum, violets and mint meld together in the 2013 Léoville-Barton. The style is feminine and delicate, with hints of dilution. At this stage, the 2013 looks to be a near-term drinker given its modest concentration. The 2013 is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot. I tasted the 2013 twice. Both times it lacked depth and resonance, even within the context of the vintage.

My Bettane + Desseauve

17,5 / 20

le 15/04/2014

Grande couleur, corps et définition de terroir magnifiques dans ce millésime, tannin plein, racé, finale sur le cèdre, le graphite et même un peu la truffe, un léoville classique en gestation.

Wine Advocate

89-91 / 100

par Neal Martin le 15/04/2014

The Château Leoville Barton 2013 is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot picked between 2 and 15 October cropped at 35hl/ha. It has a very elegant bouquet with blackberry, cedar and cigar box with hints of orange rind. The palate is well balanced with fine tannins. It is very natural and poised with a light chalky finish, a Saint Julien that is harmonious and unapologetically "classic" in style.

Decanter.com

17,5 / 20

par Steven Spurrier le 14/04/2014

Dense young red, fine Cabernet-dominated cassis fruit, a touch of florality,  very good middle palate and fine tannins for the future.

Jamessuckling.com

91-92 / 100

par James Suckling le 08/04/2014

This shows a solid core of fruit, with a wonderful asphalt, berry and mineral character. Full body with excellent tannin, fruit and acid balance. Impressive. The extra dose of cabernet sauvignon at 85% and the absence of cabernet franc make this wine exceptional for the vintage.      

Wine Enthusiast

93-95 / 100

par Roger Voss le 03/04/2014

With delicious acidity, this is a fine wine. It has taken advantage of the fruitiness of the year without burdening the wine with too much tannic structure. The result is fine balance.

René Gabriel

16-17 / 20

par René Gabriel le 03/04/2014

Aufhellendes Granat mit mittlerer Dichte, feiner Rand. Schlankes Bouquet, Pflaumen und Cassisspuren, Veilchentöne, dahinter eine kühle Cabernetexpression zeigend. Im Gaumen mit guten Fleischrationen, etwas mürbe, dezent kernige Tannine. Das Muster auf Barton war um Längen bescheidener als Jenes, welches ich an der Vin des Crus Probe hatte. Wird nie ein feiner Barton, aber auch bourgeoise Nuancen können eine gewisse Faszination ausüben.

Wine Spectator

90-93 / 100

par James Molesworth le 03/04/2014

The flesh sets this apart from the pack, with layers of black cherry, black currant and plum skin lined with well-integrated apple wood and briar notes. The long, muscular finish maintains the dark profile. Rock-solid. —J.M.