Léoville Barton St-Julien 2019

98 points La Revue du Vin de France: "The 2018 - 2019 duo are at the top of their game, with Barton's famous refinement in texture setting it apart from its neighbors. 2019 is all lace, very persistent and intense. Sublime! (2023)"

97 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "Like its stablemate Langoa Barton, the 2019 Léoville Barton is a timeless classic, made for patient connoisseurs. Offering up aromas of blackcurrants, plums, pencil shavings and licorice, it's full-bodied, deep and concentrated, its deep core of fruit framed by a chassis of rich, powdery tannin that makes itself felt on the youthfully firm finish. While it's clearly built for the long haul, its structural seamlessness and mid-palate plenitude mark it out as one of the finest wines from this château in recent times. Could it be a more concentrated modern-day version of Anthony Barton's brilliant 1985? Drink: 2029-2069. (4/7/22)"

97 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2019 Léoville Barton has a powerful and comparatively rich bouquet with layers of black fruit suffused with minerals - wonderful delineation. This has an effortlessness about it. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, gorgeous satin-like texture, mineral-driven with hints of truffle and white pepper towards the exceedingly harmonious finish. I thought this was outstanding before - now I think it might be a benchmark. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. Drink: 2026-2058. (Feb 2023)"

97 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot). Big rich, powerful wine with pencil lead precision. This is a brilliant wine, I loved it En Primeur and it is delivering on expectations. It's big, as is Langoa in this vintage, with damson and black cherry fruits, and tons of gourmet notes from brioche to bacon rind to chocolate shavings. The tannins are going to need a good decade to soften, but when it is ready, this is going to be such a fun wine to share with friends. Drink: 2029-2048. (10/26/21)"

97 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The flagship 2019 Château Léoville Barton is brilliant, showing both the style of the estate as well as the vintage beautifully. It's never the biggest or richest wine, yet it has a classic, vibrant, structured style that ages beautifully. Pure cassis, black currants, scorched earth, new leather, and graphite are just some of its nuances, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a lively spine of acidity, beautiful overall balance, and a great finish. This textbook Léoville Barton demands a decade of bottle age and will keep for 30-40 years. Drink: 2032-2062. (4/11/22)"

96 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "No messing around with the assemblage here;this is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, this variety completely dominating the blend, with just 16% left for the Merlot. The élevage was in 60% new oak. The nose is all smoky and smouldering fires at first, the toast of the oak still quite dominant here, but behind it I find aromas of black olive, with sooty top-notes suggesting tannic intent, as well as blackcurrant, toasted blackberry and orange peel. This is followed by a delicious attack at the start of the palate, broad, polished and yet complete, with a rich texture. This borderline opulent feel is matched by the midpalate’s broad bed of ripe and integrated tannins, svelte and brimming with charm, with a great sense of balance, but also a wonderful persistence in the finish. Textured, savoury and frankly delicious, this is a beacon of quality for the appellation and for the vintage. The finish possesses layers of tannin, fading slowly. Quite brilliant. The declared alcohol is 14%. (Dec 2021)"

96 point s Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2019 Léoville Barton is so impressive. Rich and heady in the glass, the 2019 offers up a beguiling mix of dark fruit intermingled with scents to tobacco, gravel, pencil shavings, leather, licorice, scorched earth and cloves. Today, Léoville Barton is decidedly virile, imposing and in need of cellaring. It is also hugely impressive. Léoville Barton is one of the first Bordeaux I tasted, many years ago. It remains a favorite for its combination of quality, personality and fair price, all values the late Anthony Barton championed during his long and distinguished career. Drink: 2026-2058. (Feb 2023)"

96 points Georgina Hindle (Decanter): "A dark nose here, savoury with animal tones, bramble fruits and leather nuances. The palate is excellent, grippy with tannins that just take hold and coat the mouth but underneath you feel there is such well defined fruit - a core of ripe blackcurrants and liquorice tinges. There is an elegance to this despite the mouthful of creamy tannins that are doing all the talking at the moment. This will be excellent in time. Sumptuous and utterly enchanting. Drinking Window: 2024-2045. (1/5/22)"

96 points/'Highly Recommended,' Wine Spectator: "A strapping young wine, offering notes of blackberry paste, plum preserves and black currant coulis that show energy throughout, with plentiful bramble, tar and licorice root accents. There’s a mouthwatering echo of apple wood at the very end, with a flash of violet adding a hint of purity. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2025 through 2042. (3/31/22)"

96 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Deep, dark ruby with an opaque core, purple reflections, and a delicate ochre rim. Ripe cherries and black forest-fruit confit is underlaid with a hint of spice and candied orange zest. Complex, textured, and fruity, with ripe plums, integrated, silky tannins, and a chocolaty touch on the finish. It is harmonious and rounded, with sweet cherry fruit and minerality. Long lasting, and a great food wine for the future. (6/15/20)"

96 points/'Cellar Selection,' Wine Enthusiast: "[$126 list] The wine is rich, complete. Its impressive structure is cushioned by the velvet black fruits and acidity. The wine's construction is powerful but never overpowering. It will age well, ready to drink from 2026. Alcohol 14%. (Oct 2022)"