Chateau Leoville Barton 2eme Cru 2017

Lobenberg: Mokka, Maulbeere in der Nase mit Schwarzkirsche und Veilchen. Auch etwas Tabakkiste. Schöne komplexe Nase. Tolle Frische im Mund zeigend. Schöne warme, runde, rote Frucht dazu. Schlehe, Kirsche. Das Ganze mit Schwarzkirsche und Brombeere verwoben, etwas Cassis. Aber insgesamt eher auf frischer, roter Frucht. Guter Leoville Barton, ohne jedoch ganz an die Größe der beiden Vorgänger anschließen zu können. 94-96+/100

-- Winespectator: This manages to pack in some serious plum, blackberry and black currant compote flavors, along with layers of melted black licorice and tar on the finish. This has a density that sets it apart from the pack in the vintage, with a lovely roasted apple wood note on the finish. 93-96/100

-- Suckling: This is a really excellent Leoville-Barton with wonderful cabernet sauvignon character of blackberries, blackcurrants and flowers. Full body, firm and lightly chewy tannins and a long and beautiful finish. This has tension and brightness. 94-95/100

-- Wine Enthusiast: This is an impressive wine, full of both plush fruit and firm tannins. It is rich, generously structured supporting layers of ripe black fruits. It is concentrated, yet elegant with a full mouthfeel. This is a wine to age. Drink this major wine from 2024. 95-97/100

-- Jeb Dunnuck: The deep, inky-colored 2017 Léoville-Barton is a classic, powerhouse wine from this estate that’s going to need bottle age. Loads of black and blue fruits, violets, classy oak, and ample minerality all soar from the glass. It’s medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and backward on the palate. With fabulous purity and integrated acidity, forget bottles for 5-6 years and enjoy over the following two decades. The blend in 2017 is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot, harvested from the 15th to the 29th of September, and aging in 60% new French oak. 94-96/100

-- Galloni: One of the few truly exceptional Left Bank wines of the vintage, the 2017 Léoville-Barton is simply fabulous. The 2017 also has the distinction of having a very high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon. Inky crème de cassis, white flowers, lavender, crushed rocks, menthol and spice give the 2017 a distinctly layered, resonant feel. The 2017 offers fabulous density and structure, although the tannins need time. The blend is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot. The September rains were especially challenging for the Merlot and Cabernet Franc. As a result, Cabernet is pushed up in the blend, while there is no Franc at all. Tasted two times. 93-96/100