**2008 Leoville-Barton [Bordeaux Blend]**

- **Varietal**: Bordeaux Blend
- **Vintage**: 2008
- **Country**: France
- **Region**: Bordeaux
- **Sub-region**: St Julien
- **Producer**: Leoville-Barton
- **Color**: Red
- **Alcohol percent**: 13.0%

The 2008 Leoville-Barton is a Bordeaux blend from the St Julien sub-region that has garnered praise for its robust character and aging potential. This wine, with an alcohol content of 13%, is known for its deep, complex flavor profile and strong tannic structure.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded this vintage a score of 92, highlighting its "extracted and powerful" nature, which is atypical for 2008. The review notes that it is "locked and loaded" with oak, black cherry, and black currant fruit, and suggests that it will benefit from 8-10 years of cellaring, with a potential to drink well over the following three decades.

John Sweeney of JJ Buckley gave it a stellar score of 94, appreciating its "extremely flowery nose" and the complexity added by an earthy/herbal note. He describes the palate as having "violets, cassis, caramel, and lavender" with "smooth and silky" tannins.

Wine Spectator scored it 91, describing the wine as "alluring" with notes of "fig sauce, plum, and currant paste" and a "fleshy but focused" texture. They recommend drinking it now through 2019.

Wine Enthusiast gave this vintage an impressive score of 96, placing it at #12 on their Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2011. The review praises its "dense, beautifully structured" nature, intense ripe fruit, and balanced acidity. The fine tannins are noted for their promise of long aging, calling it "a classic for Léoville-Barton."

Neal Martin's Wine Journal also scored it 91, noting its "very ripe, opulent bouquet" and "succulent, velvety entry." Despite the significant oak influence, the review suggests it will improve with another decade of aging.

Decanter awarded it 92, commending its "brisk attack" and "lovely restrained, savoury edge." They highlight its "great texture" and "depth and persistence" of fruit, calling it a well-executed wine for the vintage.

James Suckling, with a score of 94, praised its "currant, cassis, and chocolate aromas and flavors," noting the "chewy and polished tannins" and a "fresh and fine finish."

Jeb Dunnuck also gave it a 92, appreciating its "fresh, elegant, incredibly classic" style with notes of "graphite, cassis, violets, and cedarwood." He suggests it needs another 4-5 years of bottle age to reach maturity and will age well for 25+ years.

Finally, Jeff Leve of TheWineCellarInsider.com scored it 92, describing notes of "tobacco leaf, cigar wrapper, cedar, and green peppercorns." He notes its "full bodied, quite crisp and sharp" character and recommends another 5-8 years of aging for optimal enjoyment.