Château Leoville Barton 2003

Special Price $175.95 Average US Price $177.00
Out of stock
SKU
3433-2003

• Domaine: Château Léoville Barton
• Appellation: Saint-Julien
• Classification: Second Growth, 2ème Grand Cru Classé
• Origin: Left Bank, Bordeaux, France 

Château Léoville Barton is steeped in the traditions of the past but make no mistake -- the future for this brilliant estate is an exciting and promising one. With a remarkable history entrenched in a single-family dynasty, Château Léoville Barton boasts the longest familial legacy of a vineyard in all of Bordeaux.  Château Léoville Barton has proudly been in the Barton family for centuries, starting in 1725 with Thomas Barton, an Irishman.  

Château Léoville Barton was once part of the enormous Léoville Estate, consisting of Château Léoville Barton, Château Léoville Las Cases, and Château Léoville Poyferré.  The large property was sectioned off to nobility and fell into Thomas’ hands.  Thomas had no choice but to hold onto the estate for the remainder of his life; if he passed away, the holdings would be given to the French Crown due to his Irish heritage.  Eventually, the stubborn and unyielding Thomas passed it on to his son, Hugh.  Hugh wanted to take over the family business and become a négociant or wine merchant.  Hugh had quite the talent for working in the Wine Trade, and Château Léoville Barton thrived under his leadership.  

Château Léoville Barton was given the ranking of Second Growth during the 1855 Classification.  It is impossible to talk about Château Léoville Barton without mentioning its sister property, Château Langoa Barton.  There is no château at Léoville Barton; the wines are all made in the same vat room as the wines at the other estate.  Interestingly enough, the structure depicted on a label of Château Léoville Barton is actually the property at Château Langoa Barton.  One might ask what the difference is between the two wines if they have the same staff and same vinification room. Though both wines have a ripe, concentrated, spiciness, Château Léoville Barton has garnered quite a bit of attention over the years.

The wines from this esteemed producer are unique to Saint-Julien due to their higher concentrations of Cabernet Sauvignon. This is reflected in the plantings of the vineyards at this 51 Hectare property. The gravely topsoil is planted with mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and dwindling percentages of Cabernet Franc.  Since they’ve increased their percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon in the wine, they continue to plant more of this varietal in the vineyard.  Interestingly enough, their oldest vines are Merlot – some of which are 60 years old.

Many wine drinkers are often taken aback by the strength and fortitude these wines possess, and stylistically they resemble the wines of Pauillac more than their softer Saint-Julien counterparts.   Under the new ownership of Anthony Barton, the quality of these wines continues to skyrocket.  The esteemed wine critic, Robert Parker Jr, considers the wines of Château Léoville Barton to be, “grossly underpriced,” and the quality level to be close to “Super Second Level.”  The accolades continue to pour in. Get ready world – it is clear Château Léoville Barton has arrived.

Tasting Notes

"A spectacular success, the opaque plum-colored 2003 Leoville Barton is still on the young side of its plateau of maturity. It exhibits a striking bouquet of forest floor and black currants as well as a full-bodied, exuberant, youthful style, an opaque plum/ruby color, a lot of complexity, and striking depth and richness. This is a profound, stunning effort from Anthony Barton and his team. Bravo! It should continue to provide immense pleasure for 20-30 years." - Robert Parker Jr., The Wine Advocate (8/27/2014, Issue 214), Ratings: 96 Drink: 2014-2044

 


More Information
LWIN 1012361
Stock Status Out of Stock
Appellation Saint-Julien
Vintage 2003
Brand Chateau Leoville Barton
Shipping Weight 3.000000
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Saint-Julien is a prestigious wine appellation located in the Medoc region on the Left Bank along the Gironde estuary at the heart of Bordeaux. Known for its exceptional red wines, Saint-Julien benefits from a strategic geographical position between Pauillac and Margaux giving it a unique terroir. 

The viticultural history of Saint-Julien dates back several centuries, with deep roots in the winemaking traditions of Bordeaux. The appellation's soil is primarily composed of gravel, a mix of pebbles, sand, and clay that offers excellent drainage and contributes to the production of high-quality wines. 

The wines of Saint-Julien are mainly made from the traditional Bordeaux grape varieties such as Saint-Estèphe appellation. The principal grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Thanks to these grape varieties and ancestral winemaking expertise, Saint-Julien wines are distinguished by their finesse, aromatic complexity and remarkable aging potential. Saint-Julien wines are often described as harmonious and elegant, with aromas of black fruits, cedar, and mineral notes. Their balanced tannic structure and silky texture make them highly appreciated by amateurs of fine wines. 

Some of Saint-Julien wines are Third Growths and five of these Saint-Julien are highly rated Second Growths: Château Léoville Poyferré, Château Léoville Las Cases, Château Léoville Barton, Château Gruaud Larose and Château Ducru-Beaucaillou. Other famous estates include Château Lagrange, Château Beychevelle, Château Langoa Barton, Château Clos du Marquis, Château Gloria, Château Talbot, Château Saint-Pierre, Château Branaire Ducru.

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