Chateau Leoville Barton   Leoville Barton

1982 Leoville Barton

By Chateau Leoville Barton

1982 Leoville Barton from Chateau Leoville Barton, St-Julien, Bordeaux

The 1982 vintage is often hailed as one of the most superb years for Bordeaux wines, and the 1982 Leoville Barton from the esteemed Chateau Leoville Barton is a paragon of the excellence that emerged from St-Julien in this fabled year. My own encounters with this wine span several decades, and each tasting has been an affirmation of its enduring magnificence.

 

An Epitome of Elevated Craftsmanship

The prowess of Chateau Leoville Barton in crafting Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blends is showcased majestically in their 1982 offering. The year's optimal growing conditions, marked by a warm summer and a timely harvest, bestowed upon the grapes a balance that is both rare and rewarding. As a result, one encounters a structured yet plush wine, ripe with blackcurrant and cedar notes that oscillate with the grace of a well-practised quartet.

 

A Vintage That Captivates

The terroir of St-Julien has long been celebrated for producing wines with fine tannins and striking aromatic complexity; qualities that are pronounced in this noteworthy vintage. Taste the 1982 Leoville Barton and you will find yourself enveloped by a mélange of dark fruit that seems fresher than imagined for its age. Trace hints of tobacco and leather enhance its profile, foretelling a wine that remains resplendent with vitality and poise.

As an investment piece, the 1982 Leoville Barton from Chateau Leoville Barton surges beyond simple appreciation — it's a historical record of an unparalleled year. It stands as irrefutable proof of Bordeaux's ability to yield vintages worthy of deep regard and steadfast valuation.

Encapsulating this tasting experience into mere words feels nearly profane – yet one must attempt to convey the profound elegance personified in each glass. As investors seek out vintages which epitomise both the glory of Bordeaux and the acumen of wise custodianship, they need look no further than the transcendent nature of the 1982 Leoville Barton.

Current market price

£2,890.00

12x75cl

Highest score

91

POP score

262.73

Scores and tasting notes

91

Tasted at Pebbles/Zachy's 1982 dinner in Hong Kong. This vintage of Leoville Barton can be a little variable from bottle to bottle, although this is definitely one of the better examples that I have encountered. It has a very elegant, very 'classic' bouquet with leafy black autumnal fruit, sandalwood, tobacco and a citric edge. The palate is vibrant and not overly complex with superb tension. This is so fresh and pretty, perhaps cutting away a little too swiftly on the finish, but you are satisfied by then. This is a fine Leoville Barton

Neal Martin - Wine Journal Jan 2013

90

With massive, huge concentration, excruciating tannin, this earthy, meaty St.-Julien has everything, but it needs to be forgotten for at least 10-15 years. At this tasting, it did not appear to have budged since the last time I had it, and it did not taste terribly different than it did at age five. While it is remarkably concentrated, it is hard to rate it any higher because it may take another 25 years to reach maturity. Even with this level of concentration, one can never be sure if the fruit will hold. Nevertheless, I have plenty of confidence in it. Release price: ($125.00/case)

Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 29 June 2009

Vintage performance