- CRITICAL REVIEWS
- WINEMAKER NOTES
Jeb Dunnuck
Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Vinous
2018 Chateau Leoville Barton, Saint-Julien, France
TASTING
The nose is intense, expressive on minty, spicy and black fruit aromas. On the palate, the flavors of blueberry and blackcurrant are enhanced and the hint of white pepper will surprise you. The tannins are delicate and velvety. The wine is straight, well-balanced and its power is exponential.
VINIFICATION
The harvesting is done entirely by hand. After the de-stemming, the berries are carefully sorted, crushed and poured in wooden vats thermo-regulated, according to their plots. The alcoholic fermentation lasts from 7 to 10 days and the extraction is always respectful of the juice by adjusting the number of pumping depending on the cuvées and the vintages. The maceration is about 3 weeks then the juice is drawn in barrels, lot by lot. The wine is then aged between 16 and 18 months in French oak barrels of which 60% are brand new, in a cellar maintained at 15 °.
The wines are topped up 3 times a week to avoid any contact between the wine and the air, the racking is traditional using the so-called "à l'esquive" method.
TERROIR & VINEYARD
The vineyard nestles in the heart of the St Julien terroir among the most beautiful slopes of Garonne gravel, facing the Gironde river. The clayey gravel subsoil allows excellent growing conditions whatever weather the vintage brings. The plowing is traditional, without weeding or herbicide. The grape varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon (74%), Merlot (23%) and Cabernet Franc (3%).
BLENDING
82% Cabernet Sauvignon
18% Merlot
ALCOHOL
14°
DATES OF MANUAL HARVEST
From 21 to 24 September (Merlot) then from 29 September to 6 October
NEW BARRELS
60%