2012 Leoville Barton
By Chateau Leoville Barton
2012 Léoville Barton from Château Léoville Barton, Saint-Julien, Bordeaux
Within the pantheon of Saint-Julien estates, the historical Château Léoville Barton stands as a beacon of quintessential Bordeaux excellence. The 2012 vintage of the Léoville Barton from this esteemed producer, while shadowed by the blockbuster vintages that preceded it, is a testament to the resilient and impeccable stewardship of terroir that Léoville Barton's team is renowned for.
An Investment-worthy Vintage of Elegance
In investing terms, the 2012 vintage might be likened to a prudent, long-term asset - perhaps not as flamboyant as its predecessors but consistent and reliable. This was a year when careful vineyard management was paramount, and Château Léoville Barton navigated the variable climatic whims with aplomb. The result is a wine that, despite the challenges of the season, manifests depth, finesse, and an enchanting bouquet more than worthy of its storied lineage.
The 2012 Vintage: A Portrait of Resilience and Grace
Tasting this wine is an exercise in uncovering layered complexity. On the nose, it conjures notes of dark cherry and cassis framed by judicious oak influence which whispers rather than shouts its presence. The palate unfurls with ripe tannins and lively acidity; they harmonise to reveal a core swathed in black fruit compote entwined with subtle earthiness and hints of tobacco. It signals not only a fine drinking window but suggests a potential for further maturation, bolstering its desirability for the patient collector.
In summary, the characterful 2012 Léoville Barton from Château Léoville Barton encapsulates the finesse and potential of an undervalued vintage. In a climate where savvy collectors scout for value amidst Bordeaux’s eminent offerings, this vintage stands as a tactical addition to a well-curated investment portfolio. Patience would likely be rewarded, as this stoic expression from Saint-Julien promises evolution towards even more nuanced elegance over time.
Market price (HKD)
HK$6,020.00
12x75cl
Highest score
94
POP score
45
Scores and tasting notes
The Grand Vin is a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc picked between 3 and 15 October at 32hl/ha. It is more introspective than the Langoa at this early stage, but perhaps more complex with subtle tertiary and pencil lead scents infusing the black fruit profile. The palate is superbly balanced with fine tannins, delineated black and red fruit infused with graphite borrowed north from Pauillac. It exudes focus and precision and should be one of the finest Saint Julien 2012s. Tasted April 2013.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal May 2013
A wine with a very good depth of fruit with currants, hints of herbs and juicy fruit. Full body. A little loosely knit for LB but pretty all the same.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com, April 21st 2013
Dense ruby/purple, with cassis licorice and forest floors notes in the aromatics, Léoville-Barton’s 2012 is a relatively big, rich, masculine style of wine. This full-bodied wine needs 5-8 years of cellaring and should evolve easily for 25-30 years.
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 29 April 2015
This well-made, complete St.-Julien possesses a dense purple color as well as surprisingly soft tannins for this wine which tends to be jacked up with a lot of structure, masculinity and muscle in most vintages. The 2012 offers attractive cedary, black currant fruit and vanilla notes, and a medium-bodied, denser mid-palate than many of its peers'. The tannins are noticeable in the finish, so give this wine 4-5 years of cellaring and drink it over the following two decades as it will be one of the longer lived wines of the vintage.
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #206