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One of the great names in classically styled claret, Léoville Barton has been owned by the same family throughout its entire existence – an unheard rarity in Bordeaux.
The 2016 received fine scores from all the critics including 93-96 from Antonio Galloni. Our buying team called it “an absolute masterpiece” and “one of the best the estate has made“.
“The oak is very sexy, with cinnamon touches overlaying the sleek cassis fruit. Which vintage do I prefer – I think that the 2016 has the edge.” 18+ points, Matthew Jukes
For those seeking a Barton to drink sooner rather than later, this is it. The 2016 has all the hallmarks of the vintage; fantastic purity, soft melting tannins, coupled with the fact that there is a degree or so less of alcohol than 2015.
Ch Léoville Barton 2ème Cru St Julien 2016
£373 per 6 bottles IB
£745 per 12 bottles IB
£755 per 6 magnums IB
£830 per 3 double magnums IB
£279 per 1 single double magnum IB
£537 per 1 single imperial IB
This is an absolute masterpiece. 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot. This ever-popular estate in the heart of St Julien is one of the stand-out successes of 2016. The inky depths of the wine are mirrored in its intense black fruit perfume, its tannic content, and its generous velvety volume. One of the best the estate has made. Drink 2023-2037. 97-98 points, Goedhuis & Co
The 2016 Leoville-Barton is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot. It has a more intense bouquet compared to the Langoa-Barton, plenty of intense blackberry and raspberry fruit, minerals, cedar and a hint of licorice. The palate is a little chewy on the entry with good grip in the mouth. This demonstrates the backbone of the finish, just the right amount of spiciness with excellent salinity on the long finish. It is not a once-in-a-lifetime Leoville Barton, but (as usual) it just seems to do everything right. Maybe it’s not quite up there with the stellar 2015 Léoville Barton, which I re-tasted at the time, but it is not far off. Drink Date 2026 – 2055. 93-95 points, Neal Martin
The 2016 Léoville-Barton is superb. Precision, nuance and delineation are the signatures in a wine that speaks to class above all else. Eloquent and nuanced to the core, the 2016 is simply magnificent. There is a fair bit of tannin, but the grain is very, very fine. The 2016 is not a huge Léoville-Barton, but it is a wine of nobility and pedigree. 93-96 points, Antonio Galloni
Tight and chewy with a solid tannin structure and depth of fruit. Full body and lots of depth and texture. A Barton with lots happening already. Develops beautifully on the palate. Should be better than the 2015. 95-96 points, James Suckling
With exactly the same statistics and also the same blend as the 2015 vintage you could not have imagined two such different wines. The nose is more open and the palate is more focussed and closed than the 2015 (Lilian Sartorious always shows the last two vintages at her tastings). It was amazing how contrasting these wines are and, of course, the weather is the reason. In 2016, this wine is elongated and slightly less exuberant but it is also seemingly fruitier and more expressive. The oak is very sexy, with cinnamon touches overlaying the sleek cassis fruit. Which vintage do I prefer – I think that the 2016 has the edge. 18+ points, Matthew Jukes