0

2011 Château Léoville Barton, St Julien, Bordeaux

  • Red
  • Dry
  • Full Bodied
Ready - youthful
Robert Parker
88+/100
17.5+/20
Robert Parker
90-92+/100
James Molesworth
90-93/100
Product: 20111012361
2011 Château Léoville Barton, St Julien, Bordeaux

Description

I haven’t bought Ch. Langoa Barton or Ch. Léoville-Barton for my own cellar since 2005 and I wonder why. It is not because they have been ‘aggressive’ in their pricing policy, far from it, they are consistently being harangued by their neighbours to dramatically put their prices up. Then is it the quality? No, again both have been perfectly ‘sound’, ah but that’s it! Over the last few years they haven’t stood out from the crowd enough.

This year they both do, and I think the simple reason is the style of the vintage. It is not a flamboyant, dramatic vintage like 2009 or 2010. It is classic and that is why classic wine makers have come to the fore and ended up back on my shopping list again.

Ch. Langoa Barton, the feminine seductress, using its sweet, dense red fruit core to entrap and entice. Ch. Léoville-Barton in contrast, a yang to Langoa’s yin. Rich, dense, unforgiving, powerful black fruit dominant.  This is a really profound brace this year.
Simon Staples, Berrys’ Fine Wine Director
Colour Red
Sweetness Dry
Vintage 2011
Maturity Ready - youthful
Body Full Bodied
Producer Château Léoville Barton

Critics reviews

Robert Parker 88+/100
Firmly structured, dense and medium-bodied with moderate tannin, this austere and backward yet well-endowed 2011 needs 5-7 years of bottle age. Whether the fruit holds up to the tannic structure remains to be seen, but the dark ruby/purple color, purity and impressive depth as well as concentration augur well for future positive development. Forget this 2011 for 5-6 years and drink it over the following 15-20.Robert M. Parker, Jr. - 30/04/2014
Drink 2019 - 2034
Robert Parker, RobertParker.com (Apr 2014)
17.5+/20
Finely expressed intensity of fruit and a firmness of structure over natural aromatic ripeness to give it an assured future.
Drink 2019 - 2034
Decanter.com
Robert Parker 90-92+/100
Leoville Barton's 2011 is head and shoulders above its sister offering, Langoa Barton. Although not as backward as I expected given the general style that emerges from Anthony Barton-s beloved St.-Julien estate, this wine will need time in the bottle once it is released in several years. An opaque purple color is followed by aromas of damp earth, underbrush, black currants, cedar and hints of vanillin and incense. Medium to full-bodied and moderately tannic with good acidity as well as excellent delineation and purity, it should be forgotten for 4-5 years, and drunk over the following two decades. robert_parker - Wine Advocate - April 2012
Drink 2019 - 2034
Robert Parker, RobertParker.com (Apr 2012)
James Molesworth 90-93/100
Focused blackberry, currant and cherry sauce flavors show notes of sweet tobacco and nicely roasted spice on the finish, with integrated grip. Wine Spectator's 2011 Top-Scoring Red Bordeaux james_molesworth, Wine Spectator, April 10, 2012
Drink 2019 - 2034
James Molesworth, WineSpectator.com (Apr 2012)

About this wine

Chateau Leoville Barton

Château Léoville Barton is the smallest portion of the great Léoville estate and has been owned by the Barton family since 1826. There is no château and the wine is made at Langoa Barton.
Find out more
Saint-Julien

Saint-Julien

St Julien is the smallest of the ‘Big Four’ Médoc communes although, without any First Growths, it is recognised to be the most consistent of the main communes with many châteaux turning out impressive wines year after year. The wines can be judged as much by texture as flavour, and there is a sleek, wholesome character to the best. At their very finest they combine Margaux’s elegance and refinement with Pauillac’s power and substance.
Find out more

Need help?

Delivery and Quality Guarantee