19,5
VINUM: "Superbe, vielschichtige Aromatik der grossen Weine; von immenser Tiefe, mit unendlich edlen, seidigen, eng sitzenden Gerbstoffen, nicht enden wollendes, lebhaft fruchtiges Finale; gehört zu den grössten, weil harmonischsten, exquisitesten Weinen des Jahrgangs."
95-
97
WINE ENTHUSIAST: "95–97. Barrel Sample. Loaded with juicy acidity and layers of spice. The wine is packed with fruit that contrasts with the firm tannins that lie in the background giving a polished structure to this ageworthy wine."
18,5
WEINWISSER: "84 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 11 % Merlot, 5 % Cabernet Franc, 13,1 Vol.-%. Delikates Bouquet, frische schwarze Johannisbeere, Preiselbeersaft, helles Graphit und verführerische Veilchen. Am subtilen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, betörender Extraktfülle, balancierter Rasse, engmaschigem Tanningerüst und durchtrainiertem Körper. Im konzentriert langanhaltenden Finale rot-, blau- und schwarzbeerige Konturen, tiefschürfende Terroirwürze und erhabene Adstringenz. Fast auf demselben Niveau wie in den letzten Jahren!"
93-
95
THE WINE ADVOCATE: "A terrific success, the 2021 Léoville Barton unwinds in the glass with aromas of blackcurrant, wild berries and plums mingled with hints of pencil shavings, loamy soil and cigar wrapper. Medium to full-bodied, deep and seamless, it's concentrated and tensile, with beautifully refined tannins, lively acids and all the class that an elevated percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon growing in deep gravel can provide. It's the first vintage vinified in the Barton family's new winery, and I suspect that contributes to the ultra-refined quality of tannin this year. The blend is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Tasted three times."
94
DECANTER: "Heady on the nose, perfumed and scented. The palate is alive and playful, delivering high acidity but also focused fruit so it's both lightly framed and fun but also savoury and serious. Smooth and silky tannins give the gentle frame letting the strawberry, creamy raspberry and red cherry fruit do the talking. It's unfussy, all the elements to the fore but all well balanced with a charming texture overall and persistence of high-toned red berry fruits with saline sides. Hints of green pepper, black pepper, slate and pencil lead on the finish. I like this a lot!"
17++
JANCIS ROBINSON: "84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample.
Minerally and racy with a density that is often missing in 2021. Layers of fruit and plentiful but refined tannins. Structured and persistent, the quality of the vineyard appreciable. Fresh and well defined. Good balance. Definite potential. (JL)"
93-
94
JAMES SUCKLING: "A medium-bodied red with redcurrant, crushed-stone and earth character, following through to fine tannins and a polished finish. Balanced."
92-
94
JEB DUNNUCK: "I continue to love Château Léoville Barton, and their 2021 doesn't disappoint. (If anything, the fresher style favored here played nicely with the vintage character.) Lots of cassis and darker currants as well as crushed stone, graphite, and floral notes emerge on the nose, and it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, pure, elegant tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. It's not going to match the all-time greats here, but it's a seriously good wine in the vintage and I'd be happy with bottles in the cellar."
93
FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Einladende dunkle Waldbeeren, reife Zwetschken, feines Nougat, kandierte Orangenzesten, facettenreiches Bukett. Straff, saftig, dunkle Waldbeeren, gut integrierte Tannine, mineralisch und frisch, gutes Entwicklungspotenzial."
92-
94
THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Garnet in color, the wine shows cedar, tobacco leaf, pepper, forest leaf, and currants on the nose. The wine is medium/full-bodied, juicy, fresh, vibrant, spicy, floral, chewy, crunchy, and crisp, with a nice bite of energetic, peppery red fruit in the finish. Blending 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc, 13.2% ABV. The yields were 39 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2027-2060."
90-
92
LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "The 2021 Leoville Barton is composed of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc, harvested from 27 September to 7 October. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a fair bit of swirling to shake loose notes of fresh blackberries, mulberries, and cassis, plus touches of garrigue, wild blueberries, violets, and licorice with a touch of wood smoke. Medium-bodied, the palate has a rock-solid structure of firm, grainy tannins and a lively backbone with loads of crunchy black fruit layers and an impressive array of savory sparks on the long finish."
