Chateau Leoville Barton 2013

A Glimmer of Delicious Promise in a Tough Year

Chateau Leoville Barton is a Classified Second Growth winery located in the heart of the Saint-Julien appelllation. The Barton family, originally from Ireland, established roots in Bordeaux in 1722. Thomas Barton established a wine dynasty when founding a negociant business, and Hugh Barton continued the legacy when purchasing Chateau Langoa in 1821 and plots of land from Leoville domaine, thus establishing Chateau Leoville Barton. Today, ninth generation Lilian Barton and her two children Melanie and Damien Barton Sartorius run Chateau Leoville Barton.

The 2013 vintage was a difficult year in Bordeaux, yet despite viticulture obstacles some wines were able to shine. The growing season was cold and wet, creating a slower growing cycle, mildew and much smaller yields than normal. An August hailstorm destroyed crops, however a glimmer of hope and warm weather Indian summer in mid-August allowing grapes to ripen.

The Chateau Leoville Barton 2013 was one of the few select wines that were superb for this vintage. Despite the tough growing season, this wine and the Chateau prevailed. This wine, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, is rich and long-lived with notes of plum, black cherry, black currant, wood, leather and a touch of minerality. On the palate, it offers solid tannins, delicious acidity and a long finish.