Léoville Barton St-Julien 2010

100 points/'Cellar Selection,' Wine Enthusiast: "This is a magnificently solid wine, initially even a bit severe. At this young stage, the tannins dominate, but it's also full of black fruit notes. Very dense and concentrated, this is a wine that's even better than the legendary 2005. The structure tells of its extraordinary aging potential: don't even attempt to drink this for 10 years. Alcohol 13.5%. (Feb 2013)"

97 points Jane Anson (Decanter): "Love the depth and the power of this, it grips the walls of the glass. These tannins are muscular and yet ready to roll and still so powerful that you can't help but smile. The cassis fruits are concentrated and layered with tobacco, slate, pencil lead and smoked earth. Hard not to recommend this wine. Drinking Window: 2020-2042. (Jan 2020)"

97 points Neal Martin (Wine Journal): "Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. The Leoville-Barton 2010 has a very impressive, very showy bouquet with mineral-driven black fruit mixed with hints of liquorice and cigar box that unfolds with every passing moment in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a fleshy ripe but structured opening. The acidity is very well judged with a fine line of acidity, real depth and flavour here with a long, light peppery finish. Excellent - an accomplished Saint Julien from Anthony Barton and his team. Tasted January 2014."

97 points James Suckling: "Aromas of pure blackberries and violets follow through to a full body, with super velvety tannins and a delicious balance of sweet fruit, light vanilla and nuts. Really savory and beautiful. Superb wine. I like this better than 2009. Try in 2018. (2/2/13)"

97 points (18.5/20) La Revue du Vin de France: "Enthusiasts of this vintage will not be disappointed by the 2010, which is flamboyant, refined and bursting with fruit on the palate. (2015)"

97 points Tim Atkin, MW (3/31/11).

96+ points Robert Parker: "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. Anticipated maturity: 2028-2065+. (Feb 2013)"

96 points Wine Spectator: "Takes a modern approach, with dark mocha- and espresso-infused toast leading the way, featuring an extra ganache kicker before dark currant preserves and roasted plum fruit strides in. Dense and extracted through the polished finish, this features a charcoal spine that gives rise to extra blueberry and pastis notes. Should cruise in the cellar. Best from 2018 through 2038. (3/13/13)"

95 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "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. Drink: 2025-2055. (Apr 2020)"

95 points Falstaff Guide (3/20/15).