The 2017 Château Léoville Barton is an excellent representative of Saint-Julien, one of the classic appellations of the Médoc. With its deep garnet color and intense aromatic profile, this wine immediately demonstrates what Grand Cru Classé status entails. Combining ripe black fruit with subtle spice and refined oak notes, it offers the balance of power and elegance characteristic of Léoville Barton.
Château Léoville Barton and Saint-Julien
Château Léoville Barton is one of the oldest and most respected wineries in Saint-Julien. The estate is known for its consistent quality over the years and a traditional style that emphasizes precision, structure, and aging potential. The vineyards are situated on well-drained gravel and clay soils, ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon, which forms the majority of the blend. Merlot and a small percentage of Cabernet Franc complete the blend, contributing complexity, softness, and a layered character.
Saint-Julien is an appellation known for its well-balanced wines. Unlike some of its heavier neighbors in Pauillac, the wines here combine power with elegance, making them both accessible and refined over time. Château Léoville Barton follows this approach closely: wines that already show charm, but can also develop for years in the bottle.
The 2017 vintage
The 2017 vintage in Bordeaux yielded wines that are classic and coherent, with an excellent balance between ripeness and freshness. For Château Léoville Barton, this meant a harvest that displayed both concentration and finesse. The grapes were harvested when the Cabernet Sauvignon was fully ripe, allowing the wine to develop a powerful fruit profile while retaining clarity and acidity.
According to The Wine Advocate, the 2017 Léoville Barton displays a deep garnet color and opens with aromas of baked plums, crème de cassis, and blueberry jam. Fans of oak, pencil shavings, and earthy notes add complexity, along with subtle hints of cedar. This combination results in a wine that is both powerful and inviting, with a beautiful balance of aromas and flavors.
Grapes, vinification and maturation
The blend consists primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon, supplemented with Merlot and a small percentage of Cabernet Franc. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by aging for 18 to 20 months in partially new French oak barrels. The result is a medium- to full-bodied wine with a firm, grainy texture and a long, lively finish.
The vinification follows the classic Léoville Barton style: restrained, concentrated, and with an eye for detail. The use of oak is subtle, so that it supports the fruity core of the wine rather than dominates it. This approach results in a wine that remains elegant even at full maturity, retaining a clear Saint-Julien identity.
Color, odor and flavor profile
Upon pouring, the deep, purplish red color immediately stands out, with a purple rim that reveals the wine's youth. In the glass, the wine opens with powerful aromas of baked plums, crème de cassis, and blueberries. Subtle nuances of pencil shavings, cedarwood, and a fragrant, earthy undertone enhance its complexity.
On the palate, the 2017 Léoville Barton presents a full-bodied texture. The black fruit is supported by a delicate spicy note and a firm, grainy structure. The balance between fruit, acidity, and tannin is excellent, making the wine immediately appealing while also offering sufficient depth for further development. The finish is long, lively, and elegant, leaving a pleasant hint of minerality and cedar.
Storage potential and serving tips
The 2017 Léoville Barton can be enjoyed now by those who enjoy a fruity, accessible style, but its full potential will unfold between 2023 and 2048. The wine requires decanting for at least an hour to fully develop its aromas. Serve it at 16–18°C, ideally with rich dishes that complement the wine's structure and ripe fruit.
Wine and food pairings
- Grilled or roasted red meat – such as sirloin steak, côte de boeuf or rack of lamb.
- Stews – richer meat dishes with red wine sauce and spicy aromas.
- Poultry with a dark sauce – for example, duck with orange sauce or pheasant with mushrooms.
- Mature cheeses – Hard, aged cheeses such as Comté or Beaufort complement the fruit and tannins.
- Roasted vegetables with herbs – the herbs and earthy notes in the wine pair perfectly with roasted root vegetables or pumpkin, for example.
Order and collect from Grandcruwijnen
The 2017 Château Léoville Barton is available in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse in Dordrecht. You can easily order online or pick up your order, enjoying free parking and direct access to your bottles. Our sommelier is on hand to offer advice on opening, decanting, and pairing the wine with food.