CHATEAU LEOVILLE BARTON 2eme Grand Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 1998 Bottle

Description

The 1998 Léoville Barton has received significant acclaim, highlighted by 92 points from Vinous for its heightened intensity and complex aromas of red and black fruits, brown spices, and cedar. The palate is firm and dense, characterised by saturated tannins and a grippy texture, indicating impressive longevity that was previously underestimated. The Wine Advocate awarded it 91 points, noting its opaque purple colour and full-bodied nature, with concentrated flavours of black fruits, iron, and earthy notes, complemented by a powerful mouthfeel. This traditionally styled wine is celebrated for its authenticity and elegance, making it an ideal choice for those who appreciate classic, long-lived Bordeaux. It is best enjoyed within its drinking window from 2007 to 2035.

*****

Château Léoville Barton is a vineyard in the Saint-Julien appellation of the Bordeaux region of France. Château Léoville Barton is also the name of the red wine produced by this property. The wine produced here was classified as one of fifteen Deuxièmes Crus (Second Growths) in the original Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855.

Unlike many of its peers, Château Léoville Barton has no château building; the wines are made at Château Langoa-Barton with which it shares ownership. The château depicted on Léoville Barton's label is that of Château Langoa Barton.

VINOUS 92 points
The 1998 Léoville Barton was ordered from the list at the 1925 Bistro in Bordeaux so we could raise a glass to Anthony Barton. This bottle seemed different from my last: more intensity on the nose, a mélange of red and black fruit, brown spices and cedar. The palate is not as light as I recollected; it's rather firm with saturated tannins and grippy with impressive density towards the finish. I was surprised at the backward showing of this, and as such, I believe it has greater longevity than I once estimated. - Neal Martin

THE WINE ADVOCATE 91 points
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Drink Date: 2007 - 2035
This opaque purple-colored, muscular, full-bodied, classically made St.-Julien displays impressive concentration, chewy, highly-extracted flavors of black fruits, iron, earth, and spicy wood, and a powerful mouth-feel. A pure, uncompromising, traditionally-styled wine, it is to be admired for its authenticity, class, and quality. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2035.

Readers seeking classic, muscular, extremely long-lived Bordeaux should always keep this outstanding classified growth in mind. It continues to sell for a price well below its intrinsic value.