Léoville Barton St-Julien 2009

98 points/'Cellar Selection,' Wine Enthusiast: "A major success of the vintage. The wine exhibits extreme richness of the fruit, with all its sweet blackberry flavors. It also has underlying firm structure, density and solid tannins. Bring in the acidity at the end, and this is both impressive and ready for long-term aging. (Feb 2012)"

97 points (18.5/20) La Revue du Vin de France: "The 2009 displays the immense suavity of the vintage, making it irresistible from its very first years. It's a concentrate of fruit, with perfectly integrated tannins. (2014)"

96 points Jane Anson (Decanter): "Measured and confident tannic hold with subtle grilled oak notes, a ton of ripe cassis and blueberry fruits, liquorice and eucalyptus on the finish, and a mouthwatering, moreish construction overall. This is a powerful St Julien, but with clear and present finesse. 60% new oak. A standout wine from this property, and a wonderful showcase of the slow burning brilliance of St Julien. Drinking Window: 2020-2040. (Oct 2020)"

96 points James Suckling: "A super-classic St.-Julien that only has a hint of the opulence of the vintage. The beautiful cassis fruit and elegantly dry tannins push briskly through the long and graceful finish. (3/20/19)"

95 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2009 Léoville-Barton has a much better bouquet than the Langoa with better definition and focus: blackberry, raspberry coulis, cedar and touches of graphite that gain intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity, lightly spiced with a graphite infused finish that feels very persistent. Drink: 2019-2050. (Mar 2019)"

95 points/'Top 100 Wines of 2012 (#6),' Wine Spectator: "This is powerful Cabernet, with gutsy weight, but also polished feel to the fresh plum, warm blackberry sauce, bittersweet ganache and roasted apple wood notes. Long and tarry through the finish, but still invigorating despite its heft. Needs some time to round fully into form. Best from 2017 through 2035. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. (3/31/12)"

95 points Peter Moser (Falstaff).

94 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate): "Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2009 Leoville Barton gives up expressive cherry cordial, warm cassis and blackberry tart scents with nuances of menthol, cigar box and fallen leaves. Medium-bodied and elegantly played with loads of freshness and soft tannins, it has a long, perfumed finish. Drink: 2019-2037. (Mar 2019)"