History
Chateau Leoville Barton's history dates back to 1725 when Thomas Barton, an Irish wine merchant, arrived in Bordeaux. Initially, he established a successful trading business, earning the nickname "French Tom." The Barton family's involvement in Bordeaux wine production deepened over the years, with Hugh Barton purchasing Château Langoa in 1821 and later acquiring a portion of the Léoville estate, renaming it Léoville Barton in 1826. The estate has remained in the Barton family for over 300 years, with each generation contributing to its reputation.
Anthony Barton is credited with elevating the estate's international recognition in the modern era. His daughter, Lilian Barton Sartorius, now manages the estate along with her children, Melanie and Damien, representing the 10th generation of the Barton family. The estate's winemaking tradition involves manual harvesting, destemming, and fermentation in temperature-controlled wooden vats. The wine is aged in French oak barrels, with a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. The Barton family's commitment to sustainability and traditional winemaking practices has maintained the estate's reputation as a classic Bordeaux.
Terroir
The terroir of Chateau Leoville Barton is a unique combination of Garonne gravel over a clayey subsoil. This blend balances the soil temperature and improves water drainage, creating an ideal environment for the growth of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc grapes. The vineyard, situated in the Saint Julien appellation on the left bank of the Gironde river, benefits from this terroir, which is characteristic of the Medoc region in Bordeaux. The gravel component helps in retaining heat, while the clayey subsoil ensures that the soil remains moist but not waterlogged, allowing for optimal root development and fruit ripening. This terroir is particularly well-suited for Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes up 74% of the vine plantations at Leoville Barton.
