2010 Leoville Barton (St-Julien)

The 2010 Leoville Barton was almost impossible to evaluate because of its highly extracted, masculine, muscular style. However, it exhibits a dense purple color along with surprising amounts of oak, excruciatingly painful tannin levels, good acidity and a massive mouthfeel. One of the biggest, most backward wines of the vintage, forget it for a decade and drink it over the following 30+ years. Unfortunately, I have passed the age where it makes sense to buy a wine such as this. 91-93+ points

Tasted at the chateau and twice at the UGC , the Leoville-Barton is a touch more timid than the Langoa at this stage, but it opens up to reveal blackberry, cassis, violets and a touch of cedar, quite Margaux-like in profile. The palate is full-bodied with exquisite purity, insistent grippy tannins, a seamless texture like the Langoa and harmonious towards the long, refined, velvety finish. Gorgeous from head to toe. Drink 2020- Tasted April 2011. 96-98 points

My best score ever given to the cru en primeur. The second vintage crafted by M.Bréhan, who took over from M.Raoul as cellar master. His wine is stunning. It stands out for the vibrancy of the nose - floral, clean, with touches of ink. Pure 24 carat gold on the palate. subtle, mellow, with dash and a detailed tactile feel through to a superbly aromatic persistence. A grand vin indeed. Superior to the 2009 and 2005. 94-95 points

Deep inky-purple. Knockout aromas of smoky plum, chocolate-coated blackcurrant, balsamic vinegar and aromatic herbs. Suave, sweet and fine-grained, with creamy-rich cassis, smoke and sweet spice flavors given definition by firm acidity. Finishes with subtly powerful, building length and fully ripe tannins. This strikes me as the best Leoville Barton in years, a really mesmerizing wine that`s already remarkably pliant and accessible but also has a great future ahead of it. Drink from 2018 through 2040. 93-96 points