Château Léoville Barton
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Château Léoville Barton, a Deuxième Grand Cru Classé of Saint-Julien, has been a family-owned estate since 1826. It spans 50 hectares of gravel and clay soils. The Barton family crafts still red wines dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in oak barrels.
Identity
Château Léoville Barton is a family-owned estate located in Saint-Julien-Beychevelle. It is classified as a Deuxième Grand Cru Classé in the 1855 classification. The Barton family owns the estate, with Lilian Barton Sartorius serving as its current representative. Mélanie Barton Sartorius is the Managing Director. Consultant oenologist Éric Boissenot and cellar master François Bréhant contribute to crafting the wines.
History and philosophy
The history of Château Léoville Barton dates back to 1826, when Hugh Barton, an Irish wine merchant in Bordeaux, acquired the property. The Barton family had established roots in the region in 1821 by first purchasing Château Langoa. Winemaking for the cru has traditionally been linked with Langoa, thereby preserving its distinct identity. In 2020, a project to build a new gravity-fed vat room began, becoming partially operational for the 2021 vintage. The new cellar and facilities reopened in 2023, with the first full vinification in these new premises taking place for the 2022 vintage.
Appellations
Château Léoville Barton produces wines under the Saint-Julien appellation.
Flagship wines
The estate's grand vin is Château Léoville Barton. It is a still red wine that typically displays floral aromas reminiscent of rose and violet. On the palate, it offers a supple, digestible, and velvety texture, supported by finely chiselled tannins. The estate's second wine is La Réserve de Léoville Barton.
Practical information
The estate is located at the following address: rte des Châteaux, 33250 Saint-Julien-Beychevelle. You can contact the estate by telephone on +33 5 56 59 06 05 or by email at chateau@barton-family-wines.com. Direct cellar-door sales are available. Visits are available by appointment. The tasting cellar is open from Monday to Thursday, from 9:00 am to 11:30 am and from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm.
Find out more
Frequently asked questions
- Who are the current owners of Château Léoville Barton?
- Château Léoville Barton is a family-owned estate. Lilian Barton Sartorius is the current representative of the owning family. She is assisted by her children, Mélanie Barton Sartorius, who serves as Managing Director, and Damien Barton Sartorius. Winemaking also benefits from the expertise of consultant oenologist Éric Boissenot and cellar master François Bréhant.
- What is the history of Château Léoville Barton and its winemaking facilities?
- The history of Château Léoville Barton began in 1826 with its acquisition by Hugh Barton, an Irish wine merchant. The Barton family had previously established themselves in the region in 1821 with Château Langoa, and winemaking was long linked to that estate. In 2020, a reconstruction project for a gravity-fed vat room was launched. It became partially operational for the 2021 wines, and the fully completed new facilities were inaugurated in 2023 for the vinification of the 2022 vintage.
- What are the characteristics of the vineyard and terroir at Château Léoville Barton?
- The Château Léoville Barton vineyard covers 50 hectares south of Saint-Julien. Its terroir consists primarily of surface gravel over a clay subsoil. Cabernet Sauvignon accounts for 77% of the grape variety plantings, complemented by 20% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. The vines have an average age of around 38 years. Vineyard cultivation is carried out traditionally without weedkillers, and harvesting is done by hand.
- How are the wines of Château Léoville Barton vinified and aged?
- The wines of Château Léoville Barton are vinified at Château Langoa. The vat room is equipped with 44 vats of varying capacities, ranging from 120 to 200 hectolitres. Vinification utilises vertical presses with a specific technique of dividing the pomace cap into three parts. Ageing for the grand vin lasts between 18 and 20 months in vats and oak barrels, of which 60% are new.
The vineyard (terroir)
The vineyard of Château Léoville Barton covers an area of 50 hectares, situated south of the village of Saint-Julien. The soils consist of gravel over a clay subsoil, with Cabernet varieties planted on the gravel ridges and Merlot on the lower plateaus. The average age of the vines is around 38 years. The grape variety mix is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon (77%), complemented by Merlot (20%) and Cabernet Franc (3%). Vineyard management relies on traditional ploughing, without the use of chemical weedkillers or herbicides. Harvesting is carried out by hand.
Vinification and ageing
The wines are vinified at Château Langoa. The vat room is equipped with 44 vats ranging in capacity from 120 to 200 hectolitres. Vinification utilises vertical presses with a division of the pomace cap into three parts. The ageing of Château Léoville Barton takes place in vats and oak barrels for a period of 18 to 20 months, with 60% new oak barrels used.
- Appellation
- Saint-Julien
- Commune
- Saint-Julien-Beychevelle
- Wine region
- Médoc
- Classification
- 2e Cru Classé 1855
- Owner
- Lilian Barton et ses enfants Mélanie et Damien
- Technical direction
- Éric Boissenot
- Surface area
- 50 ha
- Second wine
- La Réserve de Léoville Barton
- Certifications
- HVE
- Grape varieties
- Cabernet Sauvignon 77%, Merlot 20%, Cabernet Franc 3%
Practical information
- Address
- rte des Châteaux, 33250 Saint-Julien-Beychevelle
- Phone
- +33 5 56 59 06 05
- Contact form
- Contact the estate
- Opening hours
- Du lundi au jeudi de 9h à 11h30 et de 14h à 16h30
- Visits
- Oui sur rendez-vous