The 1996 Château Léoville-Barton is a classic Bordeaux, showcasing the strength of Anthony Barton's meticulous work at this historic St.-Julien estate. Known for its dense, deep purple color, this wine is a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc, which thrive in the clayey gravel soils of the region. The wine's closed aromatics and massive richness are complemented by high tannins, reminiscent of the old-school Medocs, while still maintaining a cleaner, more refined character. This is a wine that requires patience, as it has the potential to age beautifully over several decades. It’s a serious, well-endowed Bordeaux, ready to evolve and develop complexity over time.

The Wine Advocate | RP 90
Published: Feb 28, 1997
Drink: 2007-2030

It is no secret that Anthony Barton's efforts over the last decade at his St.-Julien estate, Leoville-Barton, is resulting in terrific wines at still reasonable prices. This estate has been extremely successful in recent vintages. An impressive, serious, classic Bordeaux for collectors who are willing to forget about it for at least a decade, this well-endowed offering is a 30-year wine. The dense, murky, purple color, closed aromatics, massive flavor richness, and high tannin recall the old, non-compromised, beefy, blockbuster Medocs produced thirty years ago. However, this wine possesses sweeter tannin, and was made under far more sanitary conditions. It is a classic, but patience is definitely required. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2030. 

Leoville-barton.com

The vineyard nestles in the heart of the St Julien terroir among the most beautiful slopes of Garonne gravel, facing the Gironde river. The clayey gravel subsoil allows excellent growing conditions whatever weather the vintage brings. The plowing is traditional, without weeding or herbicide. The grape varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon (74%), Merlot (23%) and Cabernet Franc (3%).