1996 Chateau Leoville Barton 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 1x750ml

Robert Parker 93

The 1996 Leoville Barton appears more youthful than the 1996 Langoa Barton in the glass with a healthy deep garnet core. The aromatics unfurl gracefully in the glass revealing briary, wild hedgerow, black truffle and sandalwood scents — firmly in secondary aroma stage but with appreciable presence and intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannin that form its firm and classic structure, spice, white pepper and cloves infusing the slightly animally red berry fruit. This is an adorable Leoville Barton that is occupying a very "happy" place at the moment — superb precision, old school claret at its best. Decant for an hour no more, then enjoy. Tasted July 2016. [Neal Martin, 28/09/2017]

Anticipated maturity: 2016-2035

Vinous 89

Ruby-red. Floral, cedary aromas of blackcurrant and licorice. Concentrated but quite pliant in the middle palate. Ripe tannins nicely supported by fruit extract. [Stephen Tanzer, 05/01/1999]