2025, Château Léoville Barton, SAINT-JULIEN, 2ème Grand Cru Classé

2025 is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc.The Barton family's second growth is always a top quality Bordeaux of classic proportions. Structured, Cabernet Sauvignon dominated wines are produced here that are serious, controlled and pure. Always the epitome of Saint-Julien and the ultimate "Englishman's Claret".The 2025 Léoville Barton has an exquisite bouquet already, with ebullient blackberry and bilberry scents, beautifully integrated oak, keeping the DNA of Léoville Bartondespite the warm summer. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, gentle grip, very pure fruit and a "cool" and focused finish. With lower alcohol, between 13.0 and 13.5%, the terroir really shows through here. Superb. 2034 - 2055 95-97 Neal Martin, Vinous.Beautiful vintage at Léoville Barton, delivers layer upon layer of crayon, graphite, textural interest and character, we are on another level of St Julien and right at the top of the vintage. Black chocolate and espresso coupled with finesse and fragrance that takes you into the heart of St Julien. A flood of flavour, what a brilliantly judged wine. 2034-2044. 97 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux.Dark ripe fruit and a touch of liquorice on the nose. Medium to full-bodied with a firm tannic structure on the palate, showing dark fruit, chocolate and walnut flavours. 95-96 James Suckling.The 2025 Léoville Barton is one of my early favourites of the vintage. It carries all the textural intensity and richness of a vintage with paltry yields. Undeniably gorgeous. Black fruit, gravel, chocolate, new leather and liquorice add to an impression of gravitas. You will have to be patient with the 2025, but there's a lot of potential. Tasted twice. 2035 - 2065 94-96 Antonio Galloni, vinous.