1988 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien
SKU #950457
93 points
Wine Spectator
Shows plenty of mint, currant and mineral character on the nose. Full-bodied, with big and soft tannins. Plenty of mushroom, berry and fruity character. Opulent and beautiful. (JS, Web Only-2009)
92 points
Vinous
The 1988 Léoville Barton has a lovely nose of brambly black fruit, melted tar, tobacco leaf and undergrowth, very traditional in style but after three decades, remaining fresher and more vibrant than many of its peers. The palate is medium-bodied and possesses more fruit and greater density than the Langoa-Barton. I love the acidity here - very fresh - no sign of hardness or greenness, adorned with a spicy, black pepper and sage-tinged finish that suggest this Saint Julien will offer another decade’s worth of pleasure. Excellent wine from Anthony Barton. Tasted at the château. Drink through 2030. (NM)
(5/2018)
Jancis Robinson
Magnum. This is what claret is all about. Utterly correct, bone dry, straight-backed, not opulently fleshy nor fruity (cf Ch Brown 2010) but fresh and racy. Super-appetising. A health drink? Certainly not for sipping without food but this went admirably with the duck provided for us 1950s babes. 17.5/20
(1/2018)
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Like several other 1988s, this wine’s rather hard, unyielding, early style has given way to a classically structured Bordeaux with a very youthful color (younger than the 1989), deep, earthy, cassis fruit intermixed with wood, smoke, mineral, and a hint of roasted herbs. The wine has excellent depth, medium to full body, moderate tannin, and a very youthful, vigorous feel. It is approachable, but seems destined to outlive the more renowned and expensive 1989. Somewhat of a sleeper of the vintage. (RP)
(1/2003)