One of the classic names of Bordeaux, this Saint-Julien estate has long been a firm favourite of the British.

2008 is an oft-overlooked vintage, being followed by the seminal 2009 and 2010 vintages it was considerably overshadowed. One great positive of this is that it can offer exceptional value by comparison! Another bonus, is that the top wines - such as this 2eme Classe Leoville-Barton - are just starting to open up and really come into their prime (whilst their stablemates from '09 and '10 are arguably a few years away from their ideal uncorking point).

As one would expect from Leoville-Barton, it has a desne and well-structured core, with excellent pencil-box shaving notes and crushed violets on the nose. The hints of wood follow-through onto a palate which has opulent bramble fruit, cassis and hints of dark chocolate, with nicely balanced acidity and a long, decadent finish.

"The 2008 Léoville Barton has a lovely, heart-warming bouquet of ripe blackberry and cedar, touches of graphite, precise and supremely well focused. Classic Barton. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and lively with impressive density; structured with a firm backbone on the graphite-tinged and tensile finish that suggests that it deserves another 3-4 years in bottle. Excellent. 2022 - 2045" 93pts, Neal Martin

Now-2040+