1998 Léoville Barton Saint-Julien

72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 8% Cabernet Franc. These proportions reflect the domaine’s traditional cépage in the late 1990s — Léoville Barton’s blend barely fluctuates year to year.

Château Léoville Barton is one of Bordeaux’s most reliable over-achievers — a historic, family-owned 1855 Second Growth that consistently outperforms its classification. Known for power, precision, and longevity, it delivers true “top-tier St-Julien” character without the inflated prices of its flashier neighbors.

"This opaque purple-colored, muscular, full-bodied, classically made St.-Julien displays impressive concentration, chewy, highly-extracted flavors of black fruits, iron, earth, and spicy wood, and a powerful mouth-feel. A pure, uncompromising, traditionally-styled wine, it is to be admired for its authenticity, class, and quality. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2035." 91 Pts - Wine Advocate