Château Léoville Barton 2005

Château Léoville Barton is a venerable estate in the Saint Julien appellation on Bordeaux’s Left Bank. The wine comes from the house’s 50 hectare vineyard, which lies on classic Saint Julien terrain of a gravel top soil over clay limestone or gravel clay subsoil. The 2005 vintage was one of the great years across Bordeaux: after a slow bud break, a warm, dry summer produced small, thick skinned berries with intense ripeness and concentration, ideal for the robust, structured style of Barton. Over the centuries the estate has remained in the hands of the Barton family, retaining traditional vineyard practices and a focus on consistency and terroir driven wines.

The 2005 Château Léoville Barton is a blend of approximately 73-74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and about 1-3% Cabernet Franc. Grapes were hand harvested, vinified parcel by parcel, with traditional maceration and ageing in French oak barrels (roughly 60% new) for 16-18 months before bottling. On the nose there are intense aromas of cassis and blackberry, cedar, graphite and dark chocolate; with time notes of leather, cedar, tobacco leaf and subtle forest floor have emerged. The palate is full bodied, with concentrated dark fruit, firm yet refined tannins, and a long, mineral tinged finish that brings spice and graphite. This wine pairs beautifully with roast beef or lamb, venison or game, hearty stews and mature hard cheeses. Dishes that match its structure, depth and complexity.