1990 Leoville Barton
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Tasting notes
The 1990 Léoville Barton does not have the same vigour as the Poyferré ’90 and is hampered by a bit of brett. Tertiary in style, it offers scents of wild mint and light violet, though it needs more delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with soft tannins, very malleable in texture, harmonious with an old-school, slightly rustic finish. Fine. Tasted single blind at the 1990 Bordeaux dinner at Medlar.
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More reviews and scores
Absolute brilliance from Bordeaux, the 1990 Château Léoville Barton is mature yet still youthful, offering awesome darker currant fruits as well as forest floor, cedarwood, smoked tobacco, and subtle earthy nuances. Full-bodied, concentrated, and just about flawlessly balanced, it has a beautiful mid-palate, ripe, still present yet sweet tannins, and a great finish. I don't see this getting any better, but I also see no reason it shouldn't evolve gracefully for another decade from cold cellars. It's another classic, incredibly classy wine from this château.
Dark garnet. Complex nose. Sweet and maybe just a notch riper than ideal for Léoville Barton but giving lots of pleasure now. Bone-dry finish but very Léoville Barton! Lovely nose and some freshness on the palate suggests there is no hurry to drink this. (JR)
Crimson with a ruby rim and a classic cigar-box and tobacco-leaf nose. An interesting battle going on in the glass between the generally austere, straight-backed style of Barton and the lusciousness of the vintage. Aromatic sweet start and then a dry, even slightly tannic finish. Light hint of dead leaves (those famous dead tulips of Anthony Barton's?), almost of decay. Great balance. Bravo! (JR)
About the producer
Ch. Léoville Barton is a Second Growth Saint-Julien estate, one of the three famous Léoville estates (along with Léoville Poyferré and Léoville Las Cases). Owned by the Barton family (along with Ch. Langoa Barton), it produces classically structured Claret that ages beautifully.