2005 Château Léoville Barton, St Julien, Bordeaux Large Formats velvety coating and a deeply

velvety coating and a deeply comforting warmth

with no sharp edges and a wonderful grace and balance

There is freshness here and a fine mousse brings a lively energy

furnishing a palate and finish that balances magnificently at full-throttle cask-strength

2005 Château Léoville Barton, St Julien, Bordeaux Large Formats velvety coating and a deeplyThe 2005 Loville Barton is clearly one of the wines of the vintage. Powerful and strapping in the glass, the 2005 is a big, big wine. Huge swaths of tannin wrap around a core of inky black fruit, new leather, spice, gravel, mocha and liquorice. The wine's sheer density is impressive, but its balance is even more compelling. I might be tempted to give this another few years in the cellar. Readers lucky enough to own it will find a thrilling, potent