2006 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien
SKU #1046801
94
points
Wine Enthusiast
*One of Wine Enthusiast's Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2009* Right at the top of its form, this 2006 is one of the finest wines to come out of the vintage. The wine is structured and dense, but with such heartwarming ripe fruit that the tannins are almost submerged. There is just a hint of wood, but juicy black currant continues right through to the end. In a year, the fruit will lessen, and long aging begin.
(3/ 2009)
94
points
Wine Spectator
*One of the Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2009* There's a great dark color to this, with intense aromas of cedar, wood, new leather and crushed blackberry. Fullbodied,with loads of fruit and a firm, powerful palate. Long and mouthpuckering. A muscular baby.
(3/ 2009)
91
points
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Not surprisingly, this wine is closed, masculine, but super-rich, with a denser, more complete and full-bodied style than its sibling, Langoa Barton. Some toasty vanillin is apparent in the black currant aromas intermixed with tobacco leaf, cedar, and spice box. The wine is full-bodied and has a boatload of tannin, not unusual for this estate, as well as an impressively pure, long finish. Everything is here, but this wine, made with uncompromising vision, is meant to be cellared for an exceptionally long period of time. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2035.
(2/ 2009)
91
points
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Good bright ruby-red. Pretty aromas of black cherry, cassis, tobacco leaf, minerals, licorice and violet. Chewy, rich and deep, with good dense mid-palate fruit and excellent concentration. Fuller and sweeter than the Langoa. Finishes long and delineated, with powerful tannic clout and terrific mineral thrust. A serious 2006 for the cellar.
(6/ 2009)
K&L Notes
**++ Blackberry fruit. Deep and concentrated fruit that is layered. This is as good as their 2005 for my palate. Fine concentration and structure. Ralph Sands: Incredibly powerful and loaded with deep blueberry/blackberry/plum fruit that is masculine and traditional. It's also incredible that a wine this big is in harmony. The Barton magic at work again! In Bordeaux.