Chateau Leoville Barton 2020

Chateau Leoville Barton 2020 combines Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, showing blackcurrant, raspberry, plum, and subtle spice. The palate is smooth and juicy, with elegant acidity and fine tannins providing structure and balance. Its concentrated fruit and polished character lead to a persistent finish.

Food Pairing: Pairs best with grilled ribeye, roast lamb, beef tenderloin, and braised short ribs.

97 Points - Jeb Dunnuck

The flagship from this great chateau, the 2020 Chateau Leoville Barton checks in as 85.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14.5% Merlot that saw 60% new French oak. It has fabulous aromatics of creme 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. Best After 2030.

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.

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.

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.

95 Points - 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.

95 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

A superb wine, the 2020 Leoville Barton exhibits generous aromas of blackberries and creme 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. Best after 2027.