Chteau Loville Barton St.-Julien 2018 (750ml)

Critical Acclaim

WS97
Wine Spectator

Cassis, crushed plum and steeped blackberry fruit is all packed into this wine, along with tar, violet and roasted apple wood notes, plus a terrific tug of warm earth. Shows lots of energy in reserve, with a tightly knit finish pulling everything together. Cellaring required. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2026 through 2040.

JS97
James Suckling

Sweet berries, blackberries, raspberries and violets follow through to a full body with extremely creamy, polished tannins that caress the palate. Its really long and polished. Gorgeous finish. Drink after 2025.

WE97
Wine Enthusiast

In this wine, fine and rich tannins partner with powerful black-plum and black-currant fruits. Densely textured while also having swathes of rich fruits, the wine shows both a firm side and one that offers total deliciousness. As it matures, both these aspects will come together. Drink from 2027.Editors Choice

JD97
Jeb Dunnuck

This estate has been on fire in recent vintages, and the 2018 Chteau Loville Barton is up there with the best of them. Based on 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Merlot that was brought up in 60% new French oak, this classic, flawlessly balanced, straight-up awesome Saint-Julien has loads of cassis and mulberry fruits as well as notes of freshly sharpened pencils, leafy tobacco, chocolate, and earth. Rich, medium to full-bodied, and concentrated on the palate, it has building tannin\’s and healthy acidity, yet the fruit is pure, perfectly ripe, and wonderfully integrated with all the wine\’s components. As is normal with this cuve, it closes down with extended air and is going to take a solid 8-10 years of bottle age to reach the early stages of maturity. It\’s going to evolve for 30-40 years in cold cellars.

D96
Decanter

Well-polished blackcurrant, cassis and bilberry, everything pretty silky and firm. Not fully showing its generosity at this point but no question that it is going to get there soon. Clear charcoal, graphite and woodsmoke as it opens up. A ton of life ahead, and an appealing sense of mint freshness. Lives up to its en primeur promise – this is Loville Barton at its most confident. Drinking Window 2026 – 2040