Winemaker and vineyard : The Léoville Barton terroir is located on one of the finest gravelly slopes in the Garonne, facing the Gironde, in the heart of the Saint Julien appellation in the Médoc, 40 km north of Bordeaux. The different heights of gravel left by the river characterise the terroir of Léoville Barton, which, combined with the history and people who have shaped it, has produced one of the greatest red wines in the world. The clay-gravel subsoil is a perfect regulator of the vagaries of the year's climate. leoville-barton.com

Tasting : Leoville Barton's 2011 is head and shoulders above its sister offering, Langoa Barton. Although not as backward as I expected given the general style that emerges from Anthony Barton's beloved St.-Julien estate, this wine will need time in the bottle once it is released in several years. An opaque purple color is followed by aromas of damp earth, underbrush, black currants, cedar and hints of vanillin and incense. Medium to full-bodied and moderately tannic with good acidity as well as excellent delineation and purity, it should be forgotten for 4-5 years, and drunk over the following two decades. robertparker.com (26.04.2012)

Service : Serve it at a room temperature of 16-18°C to accompany roast beef.