Chateau Leoville Barton Saint Julien 2018

The Bartons are an old Irish family from Co. Fermanagh. Part of the family’s history was rooted in Bordeaux from the 18th century, when Thomas Barton — known as ‘French Tom’ — travelled to France for trade, became captivated by wine, and established his first company, which would later become Barton & Guestier. He quickly became one of Bordeaux’s foremost traders, building a loyal clientele across Europe. However, the law of escheatage, abolished in 1819, prevented him from owning his own vineyard. It was only in 1821 that his grandson Hugh Barton purchased Château Langoa, and in 1825 a part of the Léoville domain — laying the foundations of one of the Médoc’s great wine dynasties.

About This Wine

Château Léoville-Barton is a 2ème Grand Cru Classé in Saint-Julien, consistently regarded as one of the finest and most reliable estates in the Médoc. The 2018 vintage is exceptional — one of the greatest years in Bordeaux in a generation, combining extraordinary ripeness with a classic sense of structure and balance. A Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend with Merlot, this is a wine built for the long haul, with a drinking window stretching 15 years and beyond.

Tasting Notes

Colour: Deep, inky ruby with violet hints — the hallmark of a great 2018 Bordeaux.
Nose: Gorgeous and exotic — crème de cassis, lavender, menthol, liquorice, and cloves race out of the glass with extraordinary intensity and precision.
Palate: The 2018 marries the natural opulence of the year with a classic sense of structure. Full-bodied and concentrated, yet perfectly balanced, with fine tannins and a seamless, layered complexity.
Finish: Exceptionally long and persistent — a finish worthy of a great vintage and a great estate.

Food Pairing

A wine of this stature deserves the finest table — roast lamb, aged beef, or venison. Also exceptional with a classic rack of lamb, a celebratory roast, or simply enjoyed with great company. Decant for at least two hours before serving to allow the wine to fully express itself.

Details

Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Region: Bordeaux, France
Farming: Traditional
Style: Medium Bodied Red
Serving Temperature: 17–18°C
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bottle: 75cl
Drink: In the next 15 years