2016, Château Mauvesin Barton, MOULIS-EN-MÉDOC

Bordeaux Blend: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

The 2016 Mauvesin Barton has an attractive, quite open bouquet of crushed violet and potpourri scents; red fruit (raspberry and wild strawberry) emerges with time. The well-balanced palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins rendering it lithe in the mouth, leading into a spicy and quite persistent finish. Delightful. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting. 91 Neal Martin, Vinous (2020).

The 2016 Mauvesin Barton has turned out beautifully. Pliant and generous on the palate, the 2016 is wonderfully racy, yet retains its classic mid-weight sense of structure. Sweet red cherry, plum, rose petal, spice and mint all flesh out in this succulent Moulis en Médoc. In 2016, the Cabernet Sauvignon was affected by frost, so there is more Merlot in the blend than is typically the case. Tasted two times. 91 Antonio Galloni, Vinous (2018).

There is a touch of juicy tartness to the attack before filling out extremely prettily, displaying a clear sense of balance and vibrancy to the wild cherry fruits and charred cedar edging with a twist of elegance. It's a step up from the early years under the Barton family, and a good choice for easy drinking, not trying too hard to shout about its arrival. 89 Jane Anson, Decanter (2017).

A project by the Barton-Sartorius family of Léoville-Barton. Refined with a perfumed, floral bouquet. Round and seductive; tannins finely edged. 91 James Lawther MW, Decanter (2016).

Drinking Window: 2021 - 2032