Important Update From the Founder
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Leoville Barton vertical 1863 - 2005
Institute of Directors, London
Tasted April 22, 2008 by Rupert with 1,065 views
Introduction
Anthony Barton himself was present and the vintages from 1985 to 2005 came direct from the chateau. There was not a single dud amongst these and half of them were stunningly good - in a different league from the Ducru earlier in the year. All three of the old wines were gorgeous.
Flight 1 (13 notes)
Red
2005 Château Léoville Barton
94 points
Intensely fruity nose, dense, the oak very sweet, the tannins buffered, not integrated yet, but still gorgeous
Red
2003 Château Léoville Barton
94 points
This too was intense, essence of pencil lead nose, velvet texture concentrated and enticing - not remotely overripe or jammy, this was really gorgeous
Red
2001 Château Léoville Barton
91 points
Stalkier on the nose, lacking the sweetness of the two previous wines, but still good richness and concentration, tannin present, but ripe, lively and enjoyable now
Red
2000 Château Léoville Barton
92 points
Shy on the nose, one could sense the huge concentration there, and there is enough savouriness and fruit to make this drinkable, but it's fairly sleepy today
Red
1996 Château Léoville Barton
90 points
Tea-like nose, leafy, a whiff of bretty, concentrated, savoury and ripe - the tannin lending austerity
Red
1995 Château Léoville Barton
91 points
Shy nose, some wax polish - fuller, fleshier and more charming than the 1996, young, but approachable
Red
1990 Château Léoville Barton
90 points
Another one with a shy nose, very powerful and rich, but a bit monolithic
Red
1989 Château Léoville Barton
94 points
Classic cedar and pencil nose, a touch of the farmyard, mouthfilling blackcurrant and cedar, multilayered - superb
Red
1986 Château Léoville Barton
90 points
Blackcurrant nose, but smelled dry, full, substantial, the tannins noticeable, but with enough fat to cover them - less austere than most '86s I've had
Red
1985 Château Léoville Barton
92 points
Stalky nose, but lots of substance on the palate, savoury, layered, enticing
Red
1949 Château Léoville Barton
95 points
What a gorgeous sweet nose, so inviting, mellow fruit, fresh, a citrus tone, even some grip - very very lovely
Red
1934 Château Léoville Barton
93 points
A malty nose, a very pleasant maltiness, confirmed on the palate, sweet, mellow, beautiful
Red
1863 Château Léoville Barton
93 points
Leafy, mellow, sweet, but still very much alive,
BUT was it genuine? The cork said recorked 1990, the bottle and label was the design from the 1960s/70s. Anthony Barton wasn't aware that the chateau had recorked 1863s in this way.
BUT was it genuine? The cork said recorked 1990, the bottle and label was the design from the 1960s/70s. Anthony Barton wasn't aware that the chateau had recorked 1863s in this way.