2001 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien

Tasted alongside its sibling wine, Langoa-Barton, this vintage of Léoville-Barton asserts its authority. As seems typical of the vintage even at this age, this appears quite dense in the glass, with rich pigment reaching out right to the rim. The nose is classically left bank in style, with savoury seams of iron fillings and beef blood, the predominant feature here minerally and ferruginous, along with greater charm in the shape of juniper berry, pencil shavings, black olive, graphite and a touch of antiseptic lotion. A polished and elegantly balanced style on the palate, with a broad and sinewy texture, a little touch of flesh to the midpalate texture, with finely grained and ripe tannins, and a salty black olive core. All in all this is very fine, confident yet textured, and while drinking well now this has years in it yet.