The 2023 Léoville-Barton Bordeaux Blend is a red wine hailing from the renowned St Julien sub-region of Bordeaux, France. Produced by the esteemed Leoville-Barton winery, this wine is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc, a composition that marks the first inclusion of Cabernet Franc in the blend. The wine is aged in 60% new oak barrels and closed with a cork.
James Suckling awards the wine an impressive score of 97 points, noting the "cashmere-like" tannins and describing it as "really seamless and dialed in." He praises its medium to full body and textural qualities, highlighting its ability to "soar at the end."
William Kelley of Robert Parker's Wine Advocate echoes this sentiment, giving the wine a score of 96 points. Kelley describes it as a "lovely classic in the making," with aromas of cassis and blackberries, and hints of pencil shavings, licorice, and violets. He emphasizes its "layered, concentrated and suave" nature, benefiting from the Barton family's new winery and discreet cooperage choices.
Antonio Galloni from Vinous rates the wine 95 points, pointing out its "powerful, dark and serious" profile with notes of black cherry, lavender, spice, and blackberry. Galloni mentions the wine's density and somber nature, suggesting it will need time for its imposing tannins to soften.
Jane Anson, also awarding 97 points, describes the wine as embodying what St Julien does best. She highlights its "firm and muscular but thoroughly juicy tannins" and "concentrated blackberry and cassis fruits." Anson praises its precision and tension, likening it to a "gloriously drinkable" St Julien that will "go the distance."
Jeff Leve of The Wine Cellar Insider gives the wine a score of 95 points, describing it as a "quintessential modern version of a classic vintage." He notes its "big, chewy mouthful of black currants, spice, peppery herbs, and sea-salt," with a finish that has "real staying power."
Jeb Dunnuck also rates the wine 95 points, commending its "fresh, vibrant, lively style" and "pure, focused, mineral-driven" character. He highlights its classic blackcurrant, ripe tobacco, graphite, and cedar pencil notes, noting its readiness for extended cellaring.
Finally, Lisa Perrotti-Brown from The Wine Independent awards a score of 96 points. She describes the wine as "deep garnet-purple" with fragrant scents of violets, fertile loam, and rose oil. Perrotti-Brown notes its "tense and tightly wound" palate, supported by "firm, fine-grained tannins and a racy backbone."
Overall, the 2023 Léoville-Barton is praised for its complexity, depth, and aging potential, making it a standout in its vintage.