Chateau Leoville Barton

Château Léoville Barton is a vineyard in the Saint-Julien region of Bordeaux, ranked a second growth in the 1855 Classification. Quality has soared since the 1980s, and it is now considered as one of the most exciting wines in Bordeaux, gaining regular praise for its reasonable pricing. Léoville Barton is Cabernet Sauvignon-predominant, tannic and austere when young but develops intense blackcurrant and cassis notes, as well as classic Saint-Julien cedar characteristics.

The vineyard, which has gravel soils over clay, is planted 74 percent to Cabernet Sauvignon, 23 percent to Merlot and 3 percent to Cabernet Franc. After a manual harvest, fermentation takes place in large temperature-controlled wooden vats, and then the wine is aged in 50 percent new oak barrels.

There is no château building; that which features on the label belongs to Langoa-Barton, Léoville Barton's sister estate. In 1821, Anglo-Irish wine merchant Hugh Barton bought Château Langoa Barton and a portion of the Léoville estate which became Léoville Barton. Anthony Barton inherited the two properties from his uncle Ronald in 1983.

A second wine, La Réserve de Léoville Barton is produced from younger vines and lots which lack the quality of the grand vin.