Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend

Opened and double-decanted several hours prior to service; enjoyed over the course of three hours. The 1996 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core. On the nose, the wine is developing and loaded with currants, pencil lead, earth and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and super grippy; slightly bitter and earthy. A lovely, classic expression of Bordeaux and drinking well in its prime. Drink now through 2046.

In a great place. Black and red fruit, cassis, graphite, sage. Fine, coating tannins. Drink or hold.

Leather, cedar, red fruits and softening tannins. Starting to drink well

21 years in and still flourishing. Jam compote and lead pencil on the nose. Beautiful poise and grace on the palette. Lovely, brambly fruits, complemented barrel toast. Barton never disappoints.

This has stood still.
Cigars, leather and dill on the nose and palate. Lovely texture, with an elevated finish. Drink or hold for 3 - 5 years longer.
Stop Press - wifey no likey 😮

Pencil shaving. Dried fig. Sweet fruit profile. Tannins resolved and melted away

Smoke, rocks, stones, graphite and dark fruits on the nose. As with all of Barton's wine, the mouthfeel is impeccable. Not heavy, nor sweet, just right. Ethereal texture. Supple tannins, finishing with sage, leather, spice and a hint of road tar. I know it reads like muck, but this is the stuff of kings and queens.

12.5% abv and a predominantly cab blend.

What a treat. This wine is tasting spectacular right now. Dried herbal notes, cigar box, faint fruitcake notes, cedar, teakwood, cassis, plums, forest floor. Elegant and lean with a bright, red-fruit driven finish. #leovillebarton #1996 #bordeaux #stjulien

Cassis, leather, cedar, balsam, rich vegetal notes, very lifted aromatics still, figs, fine tabacco/tea tannins. Bright acidity.

Ooooohhhh. That's what Cabernet is supposed to taste like!? Sign me up.