La Réserve de Leoville Barton 2018, Saint Julien, Medoc

Minimum order: 6 bottles. We sell in cases of 6 or 12 to ensure you get the best deal, best price and best service.

La Réserve de Leoville Barton 2018 is the 'second wine' from the famed estate of Chateau Leoville Barton, Deuxieme Grand Cru Classé, Bordeaux. 

La Réserve is made from the grapes that don't go to the first wine (Ch Leoville Barton 2nd Growth, 1855). These are the younger vines and also the grapes not required for that year's blend. For example, in this vintage 2017, Ch Leoville Barton was 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot but the vineyards are planted with approx 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. 
This means that there was plenty of quality Merlot etc for the La Reserve (which is 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc according to The Vineyard itself (but Decanter gives different percentages ...)
But that's enough of the nerdy stuff! 

Alc. Vol. 13.5%

Ch Leoville Barton has a fascinating 'Irish' history! 
Currently managed by Lilian Barton Sartorius and her children Damien and Melanie, it was Lilian's father Anthony who took over from his uncle Ronald in the 1980's. It was Anthony who has been credited for the improvements and consistent quality since then.  Anthony had a house in Blackrock near our Off Licence (McCabes of Merrion/McCabes) and regularly dropped in to chat to us, and in particular our Shop manager John Mulvaney. 
All the Bartons still have Irish passports.
And of course, there is NO Chateau at Leoville Barton - the chateau on the label is the sister estate Ch Langoa Barton, which is where the wine is made and stored.
Ch Leoville Barton holds the record in Bordeaux for the longest single family ownership, predating the 1855 Classification. Some achievement in these times!