CHATEAU LEOVILLE BARTON

Château Léoville Barton in reality has no château, with the wines made at their sister property, Langoa Barton (although with their differing locations, the wines are not the same). In 1826, Langoa Barton's owner, Hugh Barton purchased a portion of Saint-Julien's large Léoville estate and created Château Léoville Barton.

The Second Growth Grand Cru Classé property is still in Barton family hands, with the current generation firm believers in the importance of terroir. Here, it's all about elegance, balance and finesse. The Bartons can trace their Bordeaux roots back as far as 1722, when Thomas Barton vacated Ireland for the Gallic lifestyle. Twice they have been forced to flee the country, once during the French Revolution and once during World War II.

Leoville Barton is now the only château from the 1855 Classification that has the same family still in unbroken ownership from that time. Perhaps unsurprisingly, then, their winemaking methods lean towards the traditional, with the style and high tannin levels meaning these babies are not for early drinking.