Léoville Barton Saint-Julien 2021 Bottle size: 750ml

‘The sandalwood and grey-pepper aromas lead to a powerful wine with elegance and refinement. It has weight and beautiful concentration. It is impressive and sure to age well. Drink from 2028.’ - Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, 97/100

‘The 2021 Léoville Barton has turned out beautifully in bottle, wafting from the glass with notes of cassis and plums mingled with subtle hints of pencil shavings, menthol and spices. Medium to full-bodied, deep and impressively concentrated, it's layered and refined, built around lively acids and a chassis of sweet, powdery tannin that will reward some bottle age with greater plenitude. It's a real success. 2027-2045’ - William Kelley, Wine Advocate, 94+/100

‘The 2021 Léoville-Barton is a gorgeous, classically built Saint-Julien. Graphite, leather, blue-toned fruit, spice, tobacco, licorice and lavender are immediately alluring. Medium in body and vibrant, the 2021 exudes finesse from start to finish. It is very much on the restrained side, with all the elements impeccably balanced. I would give this a few years in the cellar. It really blossoms with air, but the best is clearly yet to come. 2028-2051’ - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 94+/100

‘Bang on classic, extremely well balanced and enjoyable, rich cassis and blueberry, black tea, cloves, earthy. Tannins are present, a little austere but in no way drying and this should age well for a good 15 to 20 years. There's an emotional reason to buy this 2021 vintage also, if you are fan of Léoville Barton, as Anthony Barton, long-term owner and Bordeaux legend, died in January 2022. 60% new oak. Tasted twice. 2027-2041’ - Jane Anson, janeanson.com, 94/100

‘Concentrated and herbal, creamy and smooth, this is immediately classy with concentration, while keeping a cool blue fruit and mint freshness throughout. Structured, with well-defined texture and some power, it doesn't have the overt acidity and vibrancy some 2021s do, so this is a more serious take, but I like it a lot – a classic St-Julien wine with signature and salty, wet-stone finish. Tannins are verging on austere, but this has the bones to age well and to be very enjoyable. 2026-2046’ - Georgina Hindle, Decanter, 94/100

‘A medium-bodied red with redcurrant, crushed-stone and earth character, following through to fine tannins and a polished finish. Balanced.’ - James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, 93-94/100

‘I continue to love Château Léoville Barton, and their 2021 doesn't disappoint. (If anything, the fresher style favored here played nicely with the vintage character.) Lots of cassis and darker currants as well as crushed stone, graphite, and floral notes emerge on the nose, and it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, pure, elegant tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. It's not going to match the all-time greats here, but it's a seriously good wine in the vintage and I'd be happy with bottles in the cellar.’ - Jeb Dunnuck, 92-94/100

‘A stride ahead of the pack, with more flesh to its core of black currant and black cherry notes. Backed by singed applewood, cedar and tobacco accents, this shows a subtle twang of iron on the slightly austere finish, but the grain is relatively fine. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2036. 11,500 cases made.’ - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 93/100

‘Mid-deep ruby-purple. Focused, with dark, fresh cherry and blackcurrant on the nose. Driven and full of energy, the palate is direct and deep, with admirable intensity and structure. An impressive example of the vintage that will need a few years to hit its stride. 2028-2045’ - Tom Parker MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17.5/20