Château Leoville Barton
"The roots of the Barton soul are to be found in this château in Saint Julien, which hides a thousand and one secrets..."
The Barton family
The Barton family
The almost 50-hectare château is the result of the division of the once large Leoville wine estate. It was owned by the Bartons family, a Bordelais merchant family with Irish roots, almost 30 years before the classification of Médoc wines in 1855.
Typical of the wines north of the city of Bordeaux, the cuvée is largely (approx. 80%) dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon. Other components are Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
The defining figure of Leoville Barton was Anthony Barton, who died two years ago at an advanced age and was known for his smug humour. He is said to have replied to a question about the right bottle size: "A magnum bottle! Just the right size for a nice evening. Provided you start with a champagne, end the meal with a Sauternes and you're home alone."
Numerous improvements were made under him. Above all, strict selection made Leoville Barton the great wine it is today. Powerful elegance with great ageing potential are the outstanding characteristics of this Deuxième Grand Cru Classé. It proves its great class particularly in off vintages. This is where the meticulous level of quality really pays off.
A special feature is that the Château Langoa Barton, which also belongs to the family, can be seen on the label. The Leoville Barton wines are also vinified there.
© Photos: Jacques Péré Studio Furax