Chateau Leoville Barton 2004

WEINWISSER: "Sattes, dichtes Granat mit schwarzen Reflexen. Extrem tiefgründiges Bouquet, Cassis und andere schwarze Beeren, das in ausufernder Form, dunkle Edelhölzer, tolles Cabernet-Parfüm, Kandisnoten, ein Hauch Dörrfrüchte, auch Dörrbananenspuren. Im Gaumen ein Mustermass an perfektem Körperbau, feine, mit sehr viel Fleisch bestückte Tannine, enorme Konzentration auf der Zunge, mit Hermitage-haften Aromen endend, Teer- und Trüffelspuren, ganz am Schluss überwiegt wieder die konzentrierte, schwarzbeerige Frucht, erhabenes Finale. Ein grosser, nach viel Reife verlangender Léoville, der zum Terroirklassiker tendiert, eine erste Reife ist erst in 10 bis 15 Jahren zu erwarten."

ROBINSON: "Ideally one would wait but this wine showed pretty well even at three years old and, like the 2004 burgundy, seemed to taste older in Korea than in Europe. (There are no specialist wine storage facilities so presumably importers have to be vigilant about their particular storage conditions. ) This didn’t taste tired, but rounder than I would have expected. Needs quite a bit of time yet ideally however."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "As so often, Léoville-Barton stands out for its style and elegance. With fresh fruit and acidity allied to generous tannins, it sums up the character of the 2004 vintage. Very classic in Bordeaux terms: not hugely powerful, but delicious."

WINEADVOCATE: "This is an impressively endowed vin de garde that should age effortlessly for 20-30 years. How Anthony Barton continues to fashion uncompromisingly primordial Bordeaux that are always among the biggest and densest of all the St.-Juliens is beyond me, but he does it year in and year out. Moreover, when it’s time to set the price, he appears to have the consumer foremost in his mind. The 2004 is a classic Leoville-Barton meant for long aging. Concentrated, with loads of smoke, creme de cassis, forest floor, and earthy notes emerge from this impressive, but oh, so backward wine. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030+."

ANTONIO GALLONI: "Bright red-ruby. Deep aromas of black raspberry, black cherry, leather, smoke and flowers. Dense but juicy, with lovely finesse and flavor intensity. Notes of mocha, chocolate and leather linger nicely on the lively finish, which features substantial but rather fine tannins. This is excellent."

WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "With a tobacco, truffle, cedar wood, cigar box and blackberry personality, this is just starting to open. Firm, classic and traditionally styled, there is still some tannin to be resolved Give it another 5 years."

WINESPECTATOR: "Currant and dark chocolate, with hints of mineral. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, caressing finish. Balanced. A more delicate and refined style. Best after 2011. 21,250 cases made."