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1985 Leoville Barton
94 VM
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Review
Red-ruby. Ripe aromas of plum, currant, lead pencil and milk chocolate. Sweet but penetrating and gripping, with lovely clarity of flavor and terrific thrust. Classic claret, with lovely fruit and a very long, ripely tannic finish. A compelling example from this very elegantly styled vintage. Drink now through 2015. Vinous Media
Vinous (Galloni) | 94 VM
Critic Reviews
Red-ruby. Ripe aromas of plum, currant, lead pencil and milk chocolate. Sweet but penetrating and gripping, with lovely clarity of flavor and terrific thrust. Classic claret, with lovely fruit and a very long, ripely tannic finish. A compelling example from this very elegantly styled vintage. Drink now through 2015.
Vinous Media | 94 VM
The 1985 is a gorgeous example that may well represent a more modern-day clone of the splendid 1953. Dark ruby/garnet with an open-knit, complex, ripe nose of sweet red as well as black currants, vanilla, fruitcake, tobacco, cedar, and earth, the wine is medium-bodied with exceptional sweetness, soft tannin, and a supple, very nicely layered finish. A classic midweight Bordeaux, it will drink now and over the next decade. Anticipated maturity: Now-2010. Last tasted, 1/02.
Robert M. Parker, Jr. | 92 RP
Vinous Media | 94 VM
The 1985 is a gorgeous example that may well represent a more modern-day clone of the splendid 1953. Dark ruby/garnet with an open-knit, complex, ripe nose of sweet red as well as black currants, vanilla, fruitcake, tobacco, cedar, and earth, the wine is medium-bodied with exceptional sweetness, soft tannin, and a supple, very nicely layered finish. A classic midweight Bordeaux, it will drink now and over the next decade. Anticipated maturity: Now-2010. Last tasted, 1/02.
Robert M. Parker, Jr. | 92 RP
Wine Details for 1985 Leoville Barton
| Type of Wine |
Bordeaux Red
: Picture in your mind a combination of cedar, lead pencil, blackcurrant, plum and mineral aromatics, and texture that caresses your palate like a playful lover. The experience is thrilling from the first whiff to the final seconds of a tannic, generous finish - that is what you'll get from a Bordeaux Red |
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| Varietal | Bordeaux Blend |
| Country |
France
: Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world. For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide. France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity. France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive. |
Overview
| Producer |
Chateau Leoville Barton
: What we know as Chateau Leoville Barton today, once was part of the largest estate in Saint Julien. The original Leoville property was divided in 1840, half becoming Las Cases, and the other Poyferre. Part of the Las Cases property was culled and sold to Thomas Barton shortly before the divide. The Barton family who still presides over Leoville Barton today has roots in Bordeaux that trace back to 1722. Starting out as many successful owners did, he began his trade as a negociant and in time began to purchase properties. In 1821, Thomas Barton bought his first Saint Julien estate, Pontet-Langlois and quickly renamed it Langoa Barton. His next acquisition was from the vineyard that was removed from Leoville Las Cases, to which he named in their honor Leoville Barton, following the custom of the day. Because no cellar or winemaking facility was included in the purchase, Barton was forced to make the wine at Langoa Barton. Over time it became a tradition and still to this day, Leoville Barton is produced at its sister, Saint Julien estate. Unlike most Bordeaux estates Leoville Barton has no chateau and in fact the one pictured on the label is actually that of the Langoa Barton estate. Since the 1855 Classification of the Medoc, which Leoville Barton was awarded status of Second Growth, the estate has remained in the hands of the Barton family. It is one of only two Saint Julien properties to remain under same ownership since the classification. Tradition has always remained important at the Left Bank estate and to this day they are hesitant to become modernized, to which they are quite popular for their traditional winemaking and fair pricing policy. The wines remained fairly inexpensive until the 2005 vintage when the wine market saw increases across the board due to the fantastic growing season. The 51-hectare vineyard of Leoville Barton is planted to 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Over the past few decades the amount of Merlot has increased slightly while the percentage of Cabernet Franc has decreased. The vines are planted north of Langoa Barton where it enjoys a warmer terroir with more access to direct sunlight. One parcel is planted in clear view of the Gironde River. This slight separation in location makes for different styled wines between the two estates. Leoville Barton is a sturdy, structured Bordeaux wine with tannin that requires time to develop, in some vintages up to 15 years after bottling. This traditional, masculine wine sees and annual production of 20,000 cases and is quite popular due to its less expensive nature. |
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