2005 Château Léoville Barton, St Julien, Bordeaux

The 2005 Léoville-Barton is clearly one of the wines of the vintage. Powerful and strapping in the glass, the 2005 is a big, big wine. Huge swaths of tannin wrap around a core of inky black fruit, new leather, spice, gravel, mocha and liquorice. The wine's sheer density is impressive, but its balance is even more compelling. I might be tempted to give this another few years in the cellar. Readers lucky enough to own it will find a thrilling, potent Saint-Julien that over-delivers big time. I loved it.

Drink 2023-2045,96/100, Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com (April 2021)