2024 Château Léoville Barton Saint-Julien Grand Cru Classé

Château Léoville Barton has been a family legacy for 300 years. It was founded in 1722 when Thomas Barton left his native Ireland to settle in Saint Julien and began a wine business there. In 1826, his grandson, Hugh Barton, purchased 50 hectares of vineyards in the Saint Julien appellation. In the 1855 historical classification, the château was already classified as a "Second Classified Growth." The property was managed by several generations over the years until Anthony Barton raised Château Léoville to the international recognition it enjoys today. The Barton story continues with his daughter, Lilian, and her two children, who are now writing the chapter of the 10th generation.

The vineyard nestles in the heart of the St. Julien terroir, nestled beneath the most beautiful Garonne gravel slopes, which originate from the Gironde estuary. The clayey, gravelly subsoil facilitates excellent growing conditions and ensures consistently high quality in both wet and dry years. The vineyard is cultivated dynamically, with plowing, weeds, and grasses thriving in the vineyard to foster good biodiversity. No pesticides or herbicides are used.

This vintage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The harvest is entirely hand-harvested. After destemming, the berries are carefully sorted, crushed, and poured into temperature-regulated wooden vats. They are vinified plot by plot. Alcoholic fermentation lasts 7 to 10 days, and maceration lasts approximately 3 weeks. The wine is then aged for 16 to 18 months in French oak barrels, 60% of which are brand new. The wine is aged in an impressive cellar maintained at 15°C. The barrels are refilled three times a week to prevent the wine from coming into contact with the air. The nose is intense and expressive, with aromas of minty, spicy, and black fruit. On the palate, flavors of blueberry and blackcurrant, along with hints of white pepper, are present. The tannins are delicate and velvety. The wine is pure, balanced, and exponentially powerful.