| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Julien |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
The 2001 Léoville Barton is still a few years from full maturity. Unwinding in the decanter and glass with aromas of blackcurrant, licorice, loamy soil, cigar wrapper and vanilla pod, it's medium to full-bodied, rich and muscular, with a deep, concentrated core of fruit, lively acids and ripe but firm tannins that still assert themselves on the finish. If Léoville Poyferré is in its prime today, this Léoville Barton still ideally deserves a few more years' patience. 2021 - 2041
Consistent from bottle (I tasted it three times), this is an outstanding offering, although not quite at the prodigious level of the 2000. Civilized and approachable for a young Leoville-Barton, it exhibits a saturated plum/purple color along with classic Bordelais aromas of damp earth, creme de cassis, smoke, vanillin, and tobacco. Medium to full-bodied and rich, with high but well-integrated tannin, and a long, 40+ second finish, it should turn out to be a brilliant effort, and one of the stars of the Medoc. However, patience is essential. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2020.
Very reticent nose, great texture and bone dry. This is very confident but still pretty austere. Delicacy on the finish and real density. Long but no bruiser. Wait. The most youthful wine here. Drink 2012-2025.Date tasted 13th Feb 08.
A very ripe blackberry and blueberry nose that is lacking some definition. Just a little muffled. The palate is full-bodied, sinewy, good grip with toasty tannins. Blackberry, cedar, mint, tobacco with a very fine tannic off-dry finish. Very correct, good breeding, surfeit finesse on the finish. Tasted October 2007.
I had variable tastings on the 2001 Leoville Barton, something I noticed in 2002 as well as 2003. This big, full-bodied, backward, concentrated offering displays a certain angularity and austerity. Although full-bodied, deep, chewy, tannic, and concentrated, it is also somewhat astringent and firm. If it all comes together, this will be a long-lived classic not too far off the pace of the majestic 2000. That looks like something of a gamble at this point, but this is an uncompromising, traditionally made wine that needs time. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025.
Looks quite evolved. Simple sweetish red wine nose. Light to medium weight. Quite green tannins – not a charmer. Another wine for masochists.
