Léoville Barton St-Julien 2020

97+ points Jeb Dunnuck: "The flagship from this great château, the 2020 Château Léoville Barton checks in as 85.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14.5% Merlot that saw 60% new French oak. It has fabulous aromatics of crème de cassis, graphite, liquid violets, spring flowers, and background oak. Full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, its purity of fruit is just about off the chart, it has a great mid-palate, and enough tannins to warrant 7-8 years of bottle age. This is another sensational wine from this team that will have 30-40 years of overall longevity. Drink: 2030-2070. (3/29/23)"

97 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2020 Leoville Barton slowly emerges from the glass with fragrant notes of peonies, cinnamon toast, cedar, Ceylon tea, and fallen leaves, giving way to a core of fresh blackcurrants, black raspberries, and mulberries plus a hint of wet pebbles. The new oak nuances on the medium-bodied palate contribute a cedary character to the vibrant black fruit and earthy flavors and a firmness to the ripe, grainy tannins, supported by a lively backbone, finishing long and perfumed. Still quite tight-knit and primary, give it a good 5-7 years in bottle and drink it over the next 25-years+. Alcohol 13.5%. Drink: 2028-2055. (6/29/23)"

97 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "The flagship wine from the Barton family, this opens with a very restrained style, filled out with dark, savoury and toasted fruits. The palate is very complete, showing fabulous harmony throughout, with a silky upper layer carrying liquorice and damson fruits, beneath which there are notes of black pepper and vanilla. Ultimately, however, it is the polished harmony, the conviction and the sense of classicism that makes this vintage of Léoville-Barton so impressive. It maintains a long and peppery spice in the finish, with a tight-knit and engrained core of tannins, which would give me the confidence to tuck this away in the cellar for ten or twenty years. This is the best sort of old-school Bordeaux – very good old-school Bordeaux. The alcohol is declared to be 13.6% – presumably the label will say 13.5%. (Dec 2022)"

96 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2020 Léoville Barton is compelling. It offers up a gorgeous mix of vintage 2020 intensity married to the classicism Léoville-Barton have come to expect. Blackberry, graphite, dried herbs, menthol and dark spice abound. Whereas so many Saint-Juliens are exuberant in 2020, Léoville-Barton is very much buttoned up, showing just a twinkle of mischief that lets you know the best is yet to come. Drink: 2030-2060. (Feb 2023)"

96 points Wine Spectator: "A bold, strapping young wine, with vivid plum, cassis, kirsch and black licorice notes that meld steadily as they cruise through, carried by a bolt of graphite and finishing with a flourish of violet, anise and apple wood. Mouthwatering in the end. Built for the cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2030 through 2045. (3/31/23)"

96 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Dark ruby garnet, purple reflections, opaque core, delicate rim brightening. Ripe plums, a touch of nougat, dark berry fruit, inviting bouquet. Powerful, juicy, black cherry, fresh and lively, fine, ripe tannins, mineral, long lasting, shows freshness and length, certain ageing potential, fine cassis on the finish, great food companion. 2028-2060. (2/22/23)"

96 points James Suckling: "Aromas of dark berries, ash, tar, blackcurrants and lead pencil, following through to a medium to full body, with firm and integrated tannins and a medium, chewy finish. Needs four to six years to soften and come together. Very tight and nicely structured. Try in 2027 and onwards. (5/14/23)"

96 points Wine Enthusiast: "Dense and with velvety tannins, this wine has great structure and concentration without being too weighty. This solid wine is sure to age. Drink from 2027. Alcohol 13.5%. (Apr 2023)"

95+ points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "A superb wine, the 2020 Léoville Barton exhibits generous aromas of blackberries and crème de cassis mingled with hints of licorice, pencil shavings and classy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, broad and fleshy, with a concentrated core of fruit, sweet tannins and a nicely defined finish, it bears some similarities with the estate's demonstrative 2000 vintage, even if the two growing seasons were quite different. I suspect it will tighten up with more time in bottle, hence the plus sign next to my score, but right now, the 2020 is unusually accessible out of the gates. Drink: 2027-2055. (4/6/23)"

95 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(85.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Merlot). Silky tannins, quiet classicism, juicy black fruits, crushed rocks, liqourice and mint, beautiful definition. What an example of how good St Julien can be in this vintage, with rose peal and tomato leaf aromatics also. Brilliant. Right up alongside their excellent 2019. Good old Leoville Barton, a reliable old friend that never lets you down. 60% new oak. Alcohol 13.5%. Drink: 2030-2048. (1/10/23)"

95 points Georgina Hindle (Decanter): "Liquorice on the nose with blue fruit aromas - cool and expressive. Quite tight on the palate, the tannins making the impact right now and the style still very much on the savoury edge. Good acidity here, but it’s coming off a little sharp, giving angles to the palate though given some cushioning by ripe tannins. I do love the red and black berry elements alongside pine notes, cedar, coffee, liquorice and tobacco, the wood flexing its muscles. Softly classic with nice St-Julien character. Drinking Window: 2025-2043. (Jan 2023)"