Chateau Leoville Barton 2001

WEINWISSER: "Auffallend dunkle Farbe, sattes Granat-Violett. Warmes, konzentriertes Bouquet, viel Pflaumen, Brombeeren, Zedernduft, Kakaobohnen, Rosentöne, Lakritze, erstaunlich tiefgründig im Vergleich zu anderen Deuxièmes. Stoffiger, dicht gegliederter Gaumen, direkt wirkende Frucht, beerig-intensiv, immense Gerbstoffe, dem reichen Wein eine wahnsinnige Körperfülle gebend, perfekte Balance zwischen Fleisch, Muskeln und Gerbstoffen. Ein grandioser, extrem lagerfähiger Klassewein."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2001 Léoville Barton is still a few years from full maturity. Unwinding in the decanter and glass with aromas of blackcurrant, licorice, loamy soil, cigar wrapper and vanilla pod, it's medium to full-bodied, rich and muscular, with a deep, concentrated core of fruit, lively acids and ripe but firm tannins that still assert themselves on the finish. If Léoville Poyferré is in its prime today, this Léoville Barton still ideally deserves a few more years' patience."

FALSTAFF: "Kräftiges Karmingranat, violette Reflexe, breiterer Wasserrand. Zart nach Cassis und Tabak, feine animalische Nuancen, Kirschen. Saftig, reife Weichselfrucht, frisch strukturiert, lebendig und trinkanimierend, wirkt sehr jugendlich, mineralischer Nachhall."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Soft, ripe and fun to drink reasonably well young for Leoville Barton, the wine is just starting to open and reveal its tobacco, blackberry cassis and earthy, fresh character. There is still some tannin to be resolved."

WINE SPECTATOR: " Gorgeous aromas of crushed blackberries and flowers. Medium- to full-bodied, with well-knit tannins and a silky, caressing palate. Long. This is a wonderful wine. Lots of finesse. Best after 2008. 22,500 cases made."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Very Cabernet on the nose. Fragrant and deep flavoured. Scented and then notably dry on the end. Still pretty uncommunicative. Very dry and chewy. Wait! Only medium weight – lighter than Poyferré 2001."