Fresh, vibrant and energetic, there is a crispness to the red fruits that perfectly balances classy and classic. You also find ample notes of cigar wrapper, cedar, flowers and savory-edged, red currants in the nose and on the lifted, medium/full-bodied, crisp palate. The wine blends 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2027-2060.
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UGCB tasting-Amsterdam 2021 Bordeaux 03-04-2024: There is quite a lot to taste in this wine, good fruit, than vanilla, than noticeable wood. The midtaste is really smooth and the aftertaste is firm with a bit harsh tannins. In my opinion the wine gives a bit pumped up impression and I think the vanilla and the wood causes it; on the other hand there is a lot to taste in this wine.
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Rubinrot und super nobel, was für ein Duft, Kirschen, Brombeeren, Cassis, florale Töne, steinige Noten, super komplex. Der Gaumen ist präzis, knackig und sehr frisch, die Gerbstoffe sind wie aus dem Stein gemeisselt, die Säure perfekt dosiert, elegant, langanhaltend und mit grossen Reserven. Ausgezeichnet, auch in diesem Jahr. 2030-2050 (Verkostet im November 2023 in Zürich bei UGCB)
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Wow - just lovely, the king of the St. Juliens at the UGC. Commanding nose, full of blackberry, charcoal, and pencil. So deep and full yet coiffed rather than extracted. You'd never think it came from a vintage which offered challenges. 94-95. Super.
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UGCB SF Tasting Event (Metreon, San Francisco): Denser concentration, good black fruit, gravel, mineral/ferrous grippy tannins, more classic in structure. A bit of oak. Impressive finish. Needs time but good ol' L-B delivers. 94
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UGC 2021 Bordeaux (Vibiana, Los Angeles, CA): The nose is poised and refined with polished tones of red cherries, raspberries, currants, sweet tobacco, new leather, a touch of cedar box, asian spices, and herbs. There is excellent depth and balance to the nose as it shows off a real regal quality. The Medium bodied feel is balanced and polished with medium acidity and fine-grained, medium tannins. I wonder what this will become with age. There is a lot to like here and I do see some room for improvement, but maybe have a hard time seeing this really turn on those extra gears to get in the highest echelons. That said, this should provide a real good value play for Leoville-Barton and one that is worthy to age.
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UGC Bordeaux (Drake Hotel - Chicago IL): Walkaround tasting with the producers. Also classically styled that seems backward but with plenty here. Firm textures yet well balanced. Long, expanding finish. Patience will be rewarded.
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Union Des Grands Crus Bordeaux (New York City, NY, USA): Very floral and minerally, well structured with bright acidity and lightly grippy tannin. Blackberry and black plum fruit, charcoal undertone. Licorice on the long finish. Nice wine, among the better ones today for me and a good value.
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11x Bordeaux 2021: UCG Arrivage Tasting of just a handful of 2021 Bordeauxs. Some thoughts: 1) It's a very mediocre vintage. There is not enough substance, many wines seem simple. Especially on the Left Bank, the balance was a bit off (too much acidity, too many herbal notes, not enough fruit... and some showed greenness and drying tannins). 2) 2021 is being promoted as a vintage for "classic" Bordeaux lovers, a vintage for those who liked 2014 and 2017. In my opinion, 2021 does not come close to those vintages. 2014 is more structured, with better balance and often more depth. 2017 is much rounder, more balanced and a bit more polished. 3) We all know the high prices for 2021, so there's no need to chase them (they'll probably only get cheaper in the next few years). Here are some impressions on a few selected wines.
TN: Brief comment, no detailed notes. I'm usually a big fan of this winery. Especially in a world where climate change often pushes ripeness too far, Barton's classic, cooler, more rustic style works quite well. Unfortunately, in this slightly cooler and wetter vintage, the tannins showed a bit green(-ish) - a flaw that no amount of aging can correct. While it's still a nice wine with the typical fresh blue and black fruit, it's probably the weakest vintage for Barton since 2013 and not one to chase. 88/89pts.
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Bordeaux 2021 Arrivage Tasting (Dolder Grand, Zurich): Dark cherry. Leather, oaky flavors, elements of spice and mineral notes. The palate with lighter fruit and more juicy and good acidity. Overall this appeared closed and was not able to show much. A more masculine Léoville.
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(94-96 vvPunkte) Rubinrot und super nobel, was für ein Duft, Kirschen, Brombeeren, Cassis, florale Töne, steinige Noten, super komplex. Der Gaumen ist präzis, knackig und sehr frisch, die Gerbstoffe sind wie aus dem Stein gemeisselt, die Säure perfekt dosiert, elegant, langanhaltend und mit grossen Reserven. Ausgezeichnet, auch in diesem Jahr. 2030-2050 (Verkostet "En Primeur" im April 2022. UGCB) vvWine.ch
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Garnet in color, the wine shows cedar, tobacco leaf, pepper, forest leaf and currants on the nose. The wine is medium/full-bodied, juicy, fresh, vibrant, spicy, floral, chewy, crunchy and crisp, with a nice bite of energetic, peppery red fruit in the finish. Blending 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, 13.2% ABV. The yields were 39 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2027-2060. 92-94
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84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc from 50 ha of gravelly clay soil with vines of average age 40 yrs planted to 9,100/ha sustainably farmed. Manual harvest with crew of ~120. Optical sorting. De-stemmed. Fermentation in temperature controlled wooden vats with pump-over twice daily. 18-month aging in French oak barrels (60% new). Fining with 3-6 egg whites per barrel. 13.12% Abv. Background: Hugh Barton purchased (and renamed) Chateau Longoa Barton in 1821, and then the vineyards only for Leoville-Barton in 1826. Hence the latter has no château and the one shown on the label is actually Château Longoa Barton. Headed by Anthony Barton (1930-2022) since 1986. Now by daughter Lilian Barton-Sartorius and managed by her children Mélanie and Damien. Winemaker: Mélanie Barton-Sartorius
Barrel sample presented in May, 2022.
A(ccuray)=2: Deep ruby/purple. Plush, juicy Cab blend. B(alance)=3: Refined components with firm structure. C(omplexity)=2: Dark berries, plum, cedar, mineral. D(epth)=2: Polished mouthfeel. Full palate and lingering finish.
Wine Tally Score [2,3,2,2]= 9/10
Savory and succulent.
For story-telling label graphics, see: [https://www.instagram.com/p/CegP5IaOxHj/ ] [https://www.facebook.com/WineTally/] For a video explanation of WineTally (in 8 languages) see: www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2qWL0bXxgE
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En-Primeur campaign for the 2021 vintage; 4/25/2022-4/29/2022 (Bordeaux): Initially very claret on the nose with brambles, wild blackcurrant, cedar, oak spice. In the mouth it’s fairly concentrated, savoury with dark hued fruits, plenty of chalky tannins but at the right level for the fruit. Okay.
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3/9/2024 - Jeff Leve wrote: 93 Points
Fresh, vibrant and energetic, there is a crispness to the red fruits that perfectly balances classy and classic. You also find ample notes of cigar wrapper, cedar, flowers and savory-edged, red currants in the nose and on the lifted, medium/full-bodied, crisp palate. The wine blends 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2027-2060.
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3/4/2024 - Zweder Likes this wine: 93 Points
UGCB Amsterdam, walkaround tasting so just short notes.: The wine is still quite locked, but there are dark berries, beautiful oak and cedar and sticky tannin. Classical wine that needs time. 93++
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3/4/2024 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 95 Points
Amsterdam UGCB Tasting (Zuiderkerk): A noble wine, classical elegance, precise and flowing, perfectly integrated tannins.
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3/4/2024 - FransS wrote: 93 Points
UGCB tasting-Amsterdam 2021 Bordeaux 03-04-2024: There is quite a lot to taste in this wine, good fruit, than vanilla, than noticeable wood. The midtaste is really smooth and the aftertaste is firm with a bit harsh tannins. In my opinion the wine gives a bit pumped up impression and I think the vanilla and the wood causes it; on the other hand there is a lot to taste in this wine.
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3/3/2024 - Madera16 wrote:
UGC. Huge tannin, dark color, overall formidable.
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3/1/2024 - vvWine.ch wrote: 96 Points
Rubinrot und super nobel, was für ein Duft, Kirschen, Brombeeren, Cassis, florale Töne, steinige Noten, super komplex. Der Gaumen ist präzis, knackig und sehr frisch, die Gerbstoffe sind wie aus dem Stein gemeisselt, die Säure perfekt dosiert, elegant, langanhaltend und mit grossen Reserven. Ausgezeichnet, auch in diesem Jahr. 2030-2050 (Verkostet im November 2023 in Zürich bei UGCB)
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2/12/2024 - Swintonblade Likes this wine: 90 Points
tight, lots of structure, ok on fruit all tannins on the finish.
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1/26/2024 - englishman's claret wrote: 94 Points
Wow - just lovely, the king of the St. Juliens at the UGC. Commanding nose, full of blackberry, charcoal, and pencil. So deep and full yet coiffed rather than extracted. You'd never think it came from a vintage which offered challenges. 94-95. Super.
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1/25/2024 - MRichman wrote:
UGC Bordeaux 2021, SF: High toned tannins. Minty and almost lush fruit. Very good, one of the better wines of the day.
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1/25/2024 - ohne_musik wrote:
UGCB SF Tasting Event (Metreon, San Francisco): Denser concentration, good black fruit, gravel, mineral/ferrous grippy tannins, more classic in structure. A bit of oak. Impressive finish. Needs time but good ol' L-B delivers. 94
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1/24/2024 - KeithAkers wrote: 93 Points
UGC 2021 Bordeaux (Vibiana, Los Angeles, CA): The nose is poised and refined with polished tones of red cherries, raspberries, currants, sweet tobacco, new leather, a touch of cedar box, asian spices, and herbs. There is excellent depth and balance to the nose as it shows off a real regal quality. The Medium bodied feel is balanced and polished with medium acidity and fine-grained, medium tannins. I wonder what this will become with age. There is a lot to like here and I do see some room for improvement, but maybe have a hard time seeing this really turn on those extra gears to get in the highest echelons. That said, this should provide a real good value play for Leoville-Barton and one that is worthy to age.
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1/24/2024 - tcarter Likes this wine: 95 Points
Wally's Presents L'Union des Grands Crus Bordeaux Tasting (Vibiana DTLA): Fantastic!
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1/23/2024 - Burgundy Al wrote: 92 Points
UGC Bordeaux (Drake Hotel - Chicago IL): Walkaround tasting with the producers. Also classically styled that seems backward but with plenty here. Firm textures yet well balanced. Long, expanding finish. Patience will be rewarded.
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1/22/2024 - oldwines Likes this wine: 94 Points
Union Des Grands Crus Bordeaux (New York City, NY, USA): Very floral and minerally, well structured with bright acidity and lightly grippy tannin. Blackberry and black plum fruit, charcoal undertone. Licorice on the long finish. Nice wine, among the better ones today for me and a good value.
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11/19/2023 - Cailles wrote: 89 Points
11x Bordeaux 2021: UCG Arrivage Tasting of just a handful of 2021 Bordeauxs. Some thoughts: 1) It's a very mediocre vintage. There is not enough substance, many wines seem simple. Especially on the Left Bank, the balance was a bit off (too much acidity, too many herbal notes, not enough fruit... and some showed greenness and drying tannins). 2) 2021 is being promoted as a vintage for "classic" Bordeaux lovers, a vintage for those who liked 2014 and 2017. In my opinion, 2021 does not come close to those vintages. 2014 is more structured, with better balance and often more depth. 2017 is much rounder, more balanced and a bit more polished. 3) We all know the high prices for 2021, so there's no need to chase them (they'll probably only get cheaper in the next few years). Here are some impressions on a few selected wines.
TN: Brief comment, no detailed notes. I'm usually a big fan of this winery. Especially in a world where climate change often pushes ripeness too far, Barton's classic, cooler, more rustic style works quite well. Unfortunately, in this slightly cooler and wetter vintage, the tannins showed a bit green(-ish) - a flaw that no amount of aging can correct. While it's still a nice wine with the typical fresh blue and black fruit, it's probably the weakest vintage for Barton since 2013 and not one to chase. 88/89pts.
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11/6/2023 - sirpat00 wrote: 93 Points
Bordeaux 2021 Arrivage Tasting (Dolder Grand, Zurich): Dark cherry. Leather, oaky flavors, elements of spice and mineral notes. The palate with lighter fruit and more juicy and good acidity. Overall this appeared closed and was not able to show much. A more masculine Léoville.
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6/22/2022 - vvWine.ch wrote: 95 Points
(94-96 vvPunkte) Rubinrot und super nobel, was für ein Duft, Kirschen, Brombeeren, Cassis, florale Töne, steinige Noten, super komplex. Der Gaumen ist präzis, knackig und sehr frisch, die Gerbstoffe sind wie aus dem Stein gemeisselt, die Säure perfekt dosiert, elegant, langanhaltend und mit grossen Reserven. Ausgezeichnet, auch in diesem Jahr. 2030-2050 (Verkostet "En Primeur" im April 2022. UGCB) vvWine.ch
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5/20/2022 - Jeff Leve wrote: 93 Points
Garnet in color, the wine shows cedar, tobacco leaf, pepper, forest leaf and currants on the nose. The wine is medium/full-bodied, juicy, fresh, vibrant, spicy, floral, chewy, crunchy and crisp, with a nice bite of energetic, peppery red fruit in the finish. Blending 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, 13.2% ABV. The yields were 39 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2027-2060. 92-94
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5/7/2022 - WineTally Likes this wine:
84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc
from 50 ha of gravelly clay soil with vines of average age 40 yrs
planted to 9,100/ha sustainably farmed.
Manual harvest with crew of ~120. Optical sorting. De-stemmed.
Fermentation in temperature controlled wooden vats with
pump-over twice daily.
18-month aging in French oak barrels (60% new).
Fining with 3-6 egg whites per barrel.
13.12% Abv.
Background: Hugh Barton purchased (and renamed) Chateau Longoa Barton
in 1821, and then the vineyards only for Leoville-Barton in 1826.
Hence the latter has no château and the one shown on
the label is actually Château Longoa Barton.
Headed by Anthony Barton (1930-2022) since 1986.
Now by daughter Lilian Barton-Sartorius and managed by her children
Mélanie and Damien.
Winemaker: Mélanie Barton-Sartorius
Barrel sample presented in May, 2022.
A(ccuray)=2: Deep ruby/purple. Plush, juicy Cab blend.
B(alance)=3: Refined components with firm structure.
C(omplexity)=2: Dark berries, plum, cedar, mineral.
D(epth)=2: Polished mouthfeel. Full palate and lingering finish.
Wine Tally Score [2,3,2,2]= 9/10
Savory and succulent.
For story-telling label graphics, see:
[https://www.instagram.com/p/CegP5IaOxHj/ ]
[https://www.facebook.com/WineTally/]
For a video explanation of WineTally (in 8 languages) see:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2qWL0bXxgE
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4/26/2022 - chatters wrote:
En-Primeur campaign for the 2021 vintage; 4/25/2022-4/29/2022 (Bordeaux): Initially very claret on the nose with brambles, wild blackcurrant, cedar, oak spice. In the mouth it’s fairly concentrated, savoury with dark hued fruits, plenty of chalky tannins but at the right level for the fruit. Okay.
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