Château Léoville Barton, Saint-Julien (Bordeaux, France) 2015

 The 2015 Bordeaux harvest was a universally good one.  Most vintners were able to capture an extra dollop of ripeness while retaining balance in the wines.  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 2015 Léoville Barton is once more among the top wines of the harvest and shows a classic claret style.  The bouquet is rich with blackcurrant, plum and blackberry fruit aromas enhanced by elements of cedar, violets, herbs and toasty oak.  The flavors are elegant and supple, with layers of plush black fruits interwoven with the herb, vanilla and spice tones.  The wine exhibits a harmonious style even in its youth, and the 2015 Château Léoville Barton will provide delicious drinking for decades.