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: 1990 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien

1990 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien

SKU #950165 94 points Decanter

Outer quote mark Damien Barton-Sartorius was born in 1990, and he’ll be happy to hear that this vintage stands up well against the 1989. It has clearer tannins, is deeper and still virile, taking a long time to open in the glass but then holding on, getting more and more interesting. Sill pretty young, with rich, velvety and well-handled tannins, plus a vibrant core of cassis and mulberry notes. Well balanced, confident and deeply spiced. (JA) Inner quote mark (10/2018)

93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Outer quote mark Believe it or not, the 1990 Leoville Barton can actually be drunk - something that cannot be said about the broodingly backward, still excruciatingly tannic 1982. The exceptionally concentrated 1990 reveals more polished, sweeter tannins along with a big, sweet kiss of black currant, forest floor, cedar, and spice box notes. While it still has some tannins to shed, this full-bodied, powerful, long wine is approachable. It should continue to evolve for another two decades. (RP) 93+ Inner quote mark (6/2009)

93 points Wine Spectator

Outer quote mark Dark ruby color with a red edge. Subtle aromas of black cherry and plum, with hints of mineral and smoke. Full-bodied, with a compacted fruit structure, firm tannins and a long finish. As outstanding as it should be. (JS) Inner quote mark (8/2000)

92 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Outer quote mark Deep healthy color. Lively, subtle black cherry and cassis aromas, with a floral topnote. Impeccably balanced and very rich, this wine already displays lovely intensity of flavor and loads of personality. Fresh acids give it a juicy quality. Delicious, ripe finish, with discreet tannins. Excellent value. (ST) Inner quote mark (11/1993)

Jancis Robinson

Outer quote mark Crimson with a ruby rim and a classic cigar-box and tobacco-leaf nose. An interesting battle going on in the glass between the generally austere, straight-backed style of Barton and the lusciousness of the vintage. Aromatic sweet start and then a dry, even slightly tannic finish. Light hint of dead leaves (those famous dead tulips of Anthony Barton's?), almost of decay. Great balance. Bravo! (JR) 18/20 Inner quote mark (8/2018)

K&L Notes

3-4 stars Michael Broadbent: "...Deep but mature looking; sweet, classic nose evolving richly; equally sweet on the palate, complete, its richness masking the tannins." (10/2001) 92 points Neal Martin's Wine Journal: "This is a glorious Leoville-Barton, even if I have experienced some bottle variation in the past. This one has a deep garnet core with russet rim. The bouquet is firmly entrenched within its secondary aromas, evolving a Pomerol-like personality with black truffle, scorched earth, damson and roasted chestnuts. The palate is medium-bodied, as if it has lost a little weight over the last couple of years, but very well balanced with good delineation. Wild mushrooms, a touch of cracked black pepper, sous-bois, hints of Provencal herbs and cedar towards the finish. Just a lovely Leoville-Barton to cherish. Tasted May 2009."

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1990 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien

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Varietal:

Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends

- Cabernet Sauvignon has come a long way from its role as a blending varietal, however dominant, in the wines of Bordeaux. Today it is the most planted red varietal in the world. Identified as a descendent of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, the late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon needs to be planted in warmer climates to fully ripen. Its small berries can easily be identified for their distinctive blue color, thick skins and high tannins. And while the varietal has its own definitive characteristics: green pepper-like aromas and black currant flavors among them, it is perhaps most prized for its ability to convey terroir, vintage and winemaking. A relatively new varietal, Cabernet Sauvignon started making inroads into the wines of the Médoc and Graves in the late-18th century. Today it is also dominant in the up-and-coming Entre-Deux-Mers region of Bordeaux and can also be found in Southwest France. It is the companion varietal to Sangiovese in Italy's Super Tuscans and is planted all over Europe, stretching to lesser-known winegrowing regions like Russia and Lebanon. In the Americas Cabernet Sauvignon has found champions in every nook and cranny of California and among winemakers in Washington, where it complements plantings of Merlot. In South America, Cab thrives in Chile, but can also be found in smaller amounts in Argentina and even in Mexico.

Country:

France

- When it comes to wine, France stands alone. No other country can beat it in terms of quality and diversity. And while many of its Region, Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne most obviously, produce wine as rare, as sought-after and nearly as expensive as gold, there are just as many obscurities and values to be had from little known appellations throughout the country. To learn everything there is to know about French wine would take a lifetime. To understand and appreciate French wine, one only has to begin tasting them.

Sub-Region:

Bordeaux

Specific Appellation:

Saint Julien

- St. Julien, the smallest of the four famous appellations of the Haut Medoc, is known for highly extracted, finely structured, Cabernet-based reds. It is nestled between Pauillac to the north and Margaux to the south. Like St. Estephe, there are no first growths in this area. Leoville-las-Cases, Leoville Poyferre, Leoville Barton, Ducru Beaucaillou, and Gruard Larose are the second-growths of St. Julien followed by Lagrange which is the only third-growth. Beychevelle, Branaire Ducru, St. Pierre, and Talbot, which are all fourth-growth wines, round out the grand cru classe chateaux. In the last several vintages, wineries from this appellation have been out-performing their traditional rankings making many of the wines from this region some of the best values in red wine today.