Chateau Leoville Barton 2015

Benchmark Left Bank Bordeax

Founded in 1826, Chateau Leoville Barton is a Classified Second Growth run by the tenth generation of the Barton family. Interestingly enough there is no Chateau at Leoville Barton. Instead, the wines are made at Chateau Langoa Barton, the sister Chateau. Hugh Barton purchased one quarter of the Leoville domaine in 1826, which is now known as Leoville Las Casse, and did not purchase the winemaking facility, as he already had one. The label adorned on the Chateau Leoville Barton bottle depicts the majestic Chateau Langoa Barton and the wine is a classic long-lived example of the Saint-Julien appellation.

The 2015 vintage was highly anticipated due to the rule of fives in Bordeaux, which says that all vintages ending in a five are typically good years. Bordeaux was especially excited to see the results of the 2015 vintage after a few rocky years just before. 2015 certainly did not disappoint. The 2015 vintage was compared to past historic 2009 and 2010 vintages for beautiful quality and the ability to age magnificently.

The summer was hot, dry and sunny, leading to a rainy August. The growing conditions were quite ideal, generally speaking. The Chateau Leoville Barton 2015 is a generous and elegant Left Bank Bordeaux with a rich, structured backbone. The palate is dense with notes of black fruit, such as plums, blackberries and bramble leading to flavors of leather, tobacco leaf and cedar. Made of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and aged in 60% new oak, this wine is long-lived and would do wonderfully in a cellar for about 10 years.