The 2018 Château Léoville Barton, a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Merlot, showcases intense aromas of fresh blackberries, mulberries, and cassis, along with hints of pencil shavings, clove oil, and black truffles. The palate is full-bodied with earth and mineral-laced black fruit flavors, supported by firm, ripe tannins and seamless freshness. While it can be enjoyed after 2025, the wine will benefit from further aging, with a drinking window extending through 2045.

Jamessuckling.com | JS 97
Published: Jan 15, 2021

Sweet berries, blackberries, raspberries and violets follow through to a full body with extremely creamy, polished tannins that caress the palate. It’s really long and polished. Gorgeous finish. Drink after 2025.

Decanter | D 96
Published: 10 Nov, 2020
Drink: 2026-2040

Well-polished blackcurrant, cassis and bilberry, everything pretty silky and firm. Not fully showing its generosity at this point but no question that it is going to get there soon. Clear charcoal, graphite and woodsmoke as it opens up. A ton of life ahead, and an appealing sense of mint freshness. Lives up to its en primeur promise - this is Léoville Barton at its most confident.Closure: Natural Cork
Alcohol: 14.03%
Body: Full
Oak: Oaked
Grapes: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon 18% Merlot

The Wine Advocate | RP 94+
Published: Mar 31, 2021
Date: 2025-2045

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Léoville Barton needs a little swirling to coax out delicate notions of fresh blackberries, mulberries and cassis, plus touches of pencil shavings, clove oil, charcoal and black truffles. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers a great intensity of earth and mineral-laced black fruit flavors, supported by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing on a lingering ferrous note. Give it a good 4-5 years in bottle and drink it over the next 20 years+.

Jancisrobinson.com | JR 18
Published: Feb 10, 2022
Drink: 2025-2040

Tasted blind. Second bottle much fruitier on the palate and impressively long. Though there are still some austere tannins on the end. (As is the wont of this slow-maturing wine that always gets there in the end.)

Leoville-barton.com

Blending
82% Cabernet Sauvignon
18% Merlot

Alcohol14°
Dates of manual harvest
From 21 to 24 September (Merlot) then from 29 September to 6 October

New barrels60%
Tasting
The nose is intense, expressive on minty, spicy and black fruit aromas. On the palate, the flavors of blueberry and blackcurrant are enhanced and the hint of white pepper will surprise you. The tannins are delicate and velvety. The wine is straight, well-balanced and its power is exponential.