Color me surprised by how insanely great this 2002 Leoville Barton is. And to think, from a less-hyped vintage sandwiched between two very hyped vintages (2000 and 2003). Leoville Barton is a classic stalwart, and a long-time fave of mine, but this is my first 2002. I’ve had the 2000, 01, 04 and 05 over the last 3-4 months, and just last week, the 1996. This wine is better right now than the 00, 01 and 04 and on par with the 96. At least for my palate. Not sure where to put 2005 yet, it needs way more time.
Love the perfume on this wine. Dark cassis, lead pencil, wet earth and some florals. I may detect some charcoal as well, but I did grill some steak with this. The palate is gorgeous, impeccable balance and weight, and for my clunky yak palate, optimal ripeness of fruit. I love it when the fruits have that tart/sweet balance with the lift from acid and framed by structure. This wine has all that in spades. It is not a blockbuster. I repeat, this is not a big wine. It is a lithe, perfectly-scaled wine. Nobody tried to do anything with this wine but what the vintage delivered to them. Love the finish, some chalky and largely resolved tannins with a dark chocolate sweet note. In an ideal drinking window with a long runway before it.
Had this a few years ago and while not 95 for me was impressed.
2002 Château Léoville Barton - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien (6/16/2019)
Washington State Trip Day 3 (Seattle Brother’s House): Amazing 2002. Funk, plum, oak, gravel and minerals. Medium plus finish. Drinking really well. (92 points)
First time I had the '02 LB was astonishing – seriously overdelivered on what seems to be a less loved vintage. Second bottle wasn’t quite as good but still a strong showing. Glad to hear your experience was more like my first bottle!
Nice man! Love it! Have you opened many other Bordeaux from 2002? I, randomly, have a Haut Brion and was planning to hold, but not at all confident as to when I should pop it.
