Château Léoville-Barton

St Julien 2021

"Château Léoville-Barton was one of the best 2021 Left Bank wines we tasted En Primeur. The property has been in the same family since 1826, when Hugh Barton purchased a quarter of the big Léoville estate, his part then becoming known as Léoville-Barton. The current proprietors are Anthony Barton’s daughter Lilian Barton-Sartorius and her two children Mélanie, an oenologist, and Damien (representing the 8th Barton generation). The Bartons are one of only two families (the others being the Rothschilds) to have retained ownership of their properties, since the 1855 Classification. A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, currently ageing in 60% new French barriques, colour is deep, ruby-purple, aromas being intense and black fruited. On the palate this has rich middle and lovely, balanced, gently tannic length for drinking 2029-2045."