Château Leoville Barton 2emé Cru Classé, Saint-Julien, 2021, 75cl

A superb wine, the 2020 Léoville Barton exhibits generous aromas of blackberries and crème de cassis mixed with hints of licorice, pencil shavings and classy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, broad and fleshy, with a concentrated core of fruit, sweet tannins and a nicely defined finish, it bears some similarities with the estate's demonstrative 2000 vintage, even if the two growing seasons were quite different. I suspect it will tighten up with more time in bottle, hence the plus sign next to my score, but right now, the 2020 is unusually accessible out of the gates.

- William Kelley, Wine Advocate