An opportunity to take part in a vertical tasting of one of Bordeaux’s great wines. Leoville Barton has been in the Barton family since 1826 and was awarded a second growth status in the 1855 Classification.
Anthony Barton took over the estate in 1983 and remains involved alongside his daughter Lilian and her children, Mélanie and Damien, who are the eighth generation of Bartons to be involved. This means the estate has been in the hands of the same family for longer than any other classed-growth château.
The vineyard comprises 47 hectares on classically gravelly St Julien soils over clay. Plantings are dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon (72%) with 20% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc and the vines average 38 years old. The wines are fermented in traditional wooden vats and then it ages for 20 months in oak barrels (50% new) and will age for 12 to 40 years, in many cases longer.
The wines we will taste come from every vintage from 1994 to 2000, with the added bonus of the opportunity to sample the 1949 vintage as well. Jeffrey Benson has very kindly agreed to tell us about the wine and the vintages.
The tasting will be accompanied by cold meats and cheese.
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