The top estates of Bordeaux have crafted universally fine wines in 2018 and the Léoville-Barton ranks among the best. Château Léoville-Barton in Saint Julien produces top-notch Bordeaux at a relatively reasonable price given the quality of the wine and the formidable prices of its second-growth peers. The 2018 Léoville-Barton is a paragon of Saint Julien style. The bouquet is layered with opulent blackcurrant, blackberry and plum fruits. The rich fruit is underlain by cedar, cocoa, violet, herb and toasty oak tones. The flavors are luscious and attractive even at this youthful stage. Layer upon layer of ripe fruit cascades across the palate, enhanced by an exotic range of herb, cedar, cigar-box, cocoa and baking spice nuances. The 2018 Léoville-Barton offers a complex and harmonious style that will reward several decades of cellaring.
Château Léoville-Barton, Saint-Julien (Bordeaux, France) 2018
By Wayne Belding