At a glance

Producer

Château Léoville Barton

Region

Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France

Grape variety

Bordeaux Blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$145-$240 USD (as of 2024)

Tasting profile

Classic Saint-Julien aromas of blackcurrant, plum, cedar, graphite, tobacco, with hints of tobacco, leather, forest floor as secondary notes emerge. Palate is layered, with dense fruit, polished tannins, subtle oak.

Evolution: Moving from youthful, primary black fruit and powerful tannins to greater aromatic complexity, earthiness, and supple tannin integration.

At peak: Rich, harmonious, melding fruit, savory notes, and subtle tertiary complexity (truffle, cigar box, undergrowth), with an elegant, persistent finish.

Structure

Acidity

Medium

Tannins

High, ripe, but refined and integrated

Alcohol

13.5%-14% ABV

Aging potential

Very High – 30+ years from vintage in proper storage

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2021 to 2048

Optimal window

2017 to 2051

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

Approaching peak, beautifully integrated structure, classic 2009 ripeness

The 2009 vintage was opulent and ripe, yet Léoville Barton’s style remains classically balanced. The structure, depth, and purity of fruit from this vintage mean the wine enters a long plateau of optimal drinking circa 2024, enduring for decades. It will show increasing complexity, with diminishing but persistent fruit, and softening texture during the peak period.

Food pairing

Roast lamb with herbs, ribeye steak, duck breast, wild mushroom risotto, aged hard cheeses (Comté, Gruyère), or classic French cuisine (coq au vin, cassoulet).

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — Decanting helps open aromas, integrate tannins, and soften any youthful tightness still remaining; removes potential sediment.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 4/10

Traditional Bordeaux viticulture with moderate chemical input, increasing focus on sustainable viticulture in recent years but limited documented practices in 2009. No public information about water/energy conservation at the time; standard glass bottle packaging.

As of the 2009 vintage, Château Léoville Barton was using conventional practices typical of classified Bordeaux: not certified organic or biodynamic, limited explicit environmental initiatives, and use of standard glass packaging. Since then, many Bordeaux châteaux have increased sustainability efforts, but in 2009, efforts were minimal and not externally certified. The carbon footprint is compounded by exports and traditional packaging. The overall score reflects this lack of formal sustainability and average environmental impact for the region and era.