Chateau Leoville Barton   Leoville Barton

2009 Leoville Barton

By Chateau Leoville Barton

2009 Leoville Barton from Chateau Leoville Barton, St-Julien, Bordeaux, France

The 2009 vintage from the esteemed St-Julien appellation entered the fine wine arena bearing high expectations, and the 2009 Leoville Barton from Chateau Leoville Barton more than stood its ground amid these predictions. The season itself was marked by an optimal blend of brightness and benevolence, providing a near-ideal backdrop for the creation of wines with both intensity and finesse.

 

A Vintage Worth Investing In

Amidst the economic narratives of 2009, a beacon shone brightly in Bordeaux – heralding a vintage that gifted the discerning investor both poise and power packed into one. Speaking to this prowess is the 2009 Leoville Barton, an exemplary representation of refinement embraced by robust structure. It sings of the sun-soaked languor of September's harvest, where the grapes achieved ripeness complemented by enduring acidity.

 

Distinct Notes Within Each Sip

In my considered view, this particular offering sets itself apart with an aromatic profile that communicates sophistication; red and black berries entwine with earthy truffles and a whisper of cigar box, creating a panoply of scents beckoning further exploration. Upon tasting, one is engulfed by the maturity of tannins – confident yet never brash – presenting an invitation to those with an eye on longevity for their wine investment portfolios.

The palate discovery here is an opulent sojourn – cassis and plums dancing amidst firm yet supple tannins, complemented by a delicate oak influence that whispers rather than shouts. A finish long and composed imparts a lasting impression which assures its place in any St-Julien connoisseur’s cache. The 2009 Leoville Barton is a testament to the balance between assertive flavours and graceful ageing potential.

This remarkable demonstration of 2009’s vigour from Chateau Leoville Barton stands as a cornerstone for investors looking to fortify their collection with a St-Julien that proclaims excellence without extravagance. It exemplifies the creed that vintage characteristics must indeed be echoed in every single sip – making this wine not merely an asset but also a paragon of the storied terroir it hails from.

Market price (CAD)

$1,720.00

12x75cl

Highest score

96

POP score

64.38

Scores and tasting notes

96

Very floral, with fresh mushrooms and currants on the nose. Full body, with powerful tannins, yet polished and refined. Lovely length. Vibrant acidity. Well structured. Try after 2018.

James Suckling - jamessuckling.com, February 14th 2012

94

Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2009 Leoville Barton gives up expressive cherry cordial, warm cassis and blackberry tart scents with nuances of menthol, cigar box and fallen leaves. Medium-bodied and elegantly played with loads of freshness and soft tannins, it has a long, perfumed finish.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 14 March 2019

94

Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. There is a lot of fruit concentration on the nose of the Leoville Barton 2009 with lifted, ebullient blackberry, dark plum and graphite billowing with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe black fruits and a veneer of creamy oak that is nicely integrated into the fabric of the wine. This is forward and generous, but does not fall short on flavour and complexity. Very fine. Tasted January 2013.

Neal Martin - Wine Journal Jul 2013

93+

Head and shoulders above its stablemate, Langoa Barton, proprietor Anthony Barton's 2009 Leoville Barton is another massive, excruciatingly rich, tannic, potentially long-aged wine. Meant for consumers with old fashioned tastes, it boasts a dense opaque purple color as well as a bouquet of licorice, forest floor, unsmoked cigar tobacco and a hint of earth. The wine reveals tremendous denseness and richness, a broad, savory mouthfeel and elevated tannins in the finish. However, there is a sweetness to the tannins and no trace of bitterness and astringency, always a sign of a top vintage as well as fully mature grapes. Still a monolithic baby, this 2009 should be forgotten for at least a decade, and consumed over the next 30-50 years.

Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #199

Vintage performance