Steven Spurrier: Bordeaux is inseparable from the Barton family . Langoa and Léoville Barton are the only châteaux from the 1855 Classification, along with Mouton-Rothschild, that remain in the hands of the same family.
Léoville Barton, 2010
£625 per 6 x 75cl Bottles IB
£1,250 per 12 x 75cl Bottle IB
96+ points - Robert M. Parker, Jr. (Wine Advocate)
Drink Date 2028 - 2065
A splendid showing, much stronger from bottle than it was from barrel, the Leoville Barton is one of the spectacular wines of the vintage. Inky purple to the rim, its huge tannin gives this wine real potential for 30-50 years of longevity. It is a classic, powerful Bordeaux made with no compromise. A superstar of the vintage, the wine has notes of pen ink and creme de cassis, good acidity, sweet, subtle oak, and massive extraction and concentration. I thought it was one of the most backward wines of the vintage two years ago, and nothing has changed in the ensuing upbringing of the wine in cask except that the wine now seems even richer, denser and fuller than I previously thought. The beautiful purity, symmetry, and huge finish of nearly a minute make this one of the all-time great classics from Leoville Barton.
Rating 95 Neal Martin (Vinous)
Drink Date 2025 - 20 5 5
The 2010 Léoville Barton is cut from a very different cloth to the Langoa this year with more amplitude on the nose and more red fruit. It is very well delineated, very intense with almost honey-like aromas emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent, ripe tannins. This is a multi-dimensional Léoville-Barton with tobacco-infused black fruit gripping the finish and not letting go. Afford this wine another few years in bottle. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the BI Wines & Spirits 10-Year On tasting.
It was with great sadness that Seckford learnt of the passing of Anthony Barton earlier this year. Known as the ‘gentleman’ of Bordeaux wine and admired for his sense of humour and charisma, Anthony Barton was also widely respected for modernising family estates Léoville Barton and Langoa Barton – the respective 1855 second and third growth châteaux in the St-Julien appellation.
The Barton family are able to trace their Bordeaux roots all the way back to 1722 when Thomas Barton was sent to live in France from his native Ireland. Upon arrival in Bordeaux, Thomas Barton developed an interest in wine and created his first wine merchant company.
His company soon began to flourish thanks to his trade contacts and loyal customers in Ireland. By 1737 he had already made a small fortune and was highly regarded by the Bordeaux locals who nicknamed him ''French Tom''.
At this time, a law known as the ''Droit d'Aubaine'' stated that all assets belonging to a foreigner who passed away in France would become the property of the French Crown. It is for this reason that Thomas never purchased vineyards in France, instead choosing to invest his profits in Ireland. His grandson, Hugh, was the first member of the family to own vineyards in Bordeaux.
In 1821, having made a fortune through their wine merchant ventures, the Barton family were able to purchase a Saint Julien estate, Pontet-Langlois. Shortly after the sale, they renamed it to Chateau Langoa Barton.
Following the purchase of Langoa Barton, the family bought a second St. Julien estate from the vineyards of Leoville Las Cases, the estate became Chateau Leoville Barton. Interestingly, because no cellar or wine making facilities came with the purchase, they were forced to make both wines at Langoa Barton.