Château Léoville Barton, 2ème Grand Cru Classé 1996 Saint-Julien

Cabernet Sauvignon 72%; Merlot 20%; Cabernet Franc 8%

The Léoville Barton vineyard is in the centre of St Julien, facing the Gironde river. Soils are clay, with a gravel subsoil. Weed control is through ploughing: no herbicides are used.

The fruit is harvested by hand, then carefully sorted before crushing and transfer to wooden vats for fermentation. Pumping over aids the extraction of flavours, colour and tannins. Maceration continues for 3 weeks before the wine is transferred to French Oak barrels, of which 60% are first fill. The barrels are topped up 3 times a week throughout the 16 - 18 month aging period.

The Leoville Barton story began in 1826 when Hugh Barton purchased 50 hectares of vines in St Julien. The Chateau was categorised as "Grand Cru" in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification. Anthony Barton, who took over the running of the estate and winery in 1983 was responsible for elevating the quality of the wine and gaining international recognition amongst wine critics. Today, the business is in the hands of Anthony's daughter, Lilian Barton Sartorius, the 9th generation of Bartons to be involved in the Medoc wine business.