Château Léoville Barton 2024

What a bouquet, stunningly beautiful: black cherries, cassis, blackberries, violets above, and a cool minerality beneath; on the palate like velvet and silk, the finest tannins provide structure, the balance of the elements is once again outstanding; the finish is of great length. A Barton full of finesse and high elegance, among the very best produced this year.

Supple and lively – this has energy but also firmness and muscle from the start, the Cabernet really speaking with very softly plush tannins and pure blackcurrant fruit. It’s still a little compact and tense, just knitted down, but there’s charm to this too with a clarity and cool freshness that is so moreish. Mouthwatering acidity is there, but this is more on the tannin weight while keeping the overall expression finessed. Not shouting, not crazy vibrant, calm but well made. Ageing 60% new oak.

Opening with a kiss of oak before moving to black currants, licorice, flowers, mocha, and cedar on the nose. Crisp and lively, the palate shows a refined texture with layers of chalky berries, crème de cassis, and juicy currants, finishing with a refreshing note of spearmint on the back end. The wine is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, 12.9% ABV. The harvest took place September 24 - October 5. Yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2028–2050. 92–94 pts