Château Léoville Barton dinner – Friday 13th December

The neighbouring St-Julien classed growths Châteaux Léoville Barton and Langoa Barton hold the distinction of being two of only three properties still in the same family ownership as when the 1855 classification came into being. (The other? Château Mouton-Rothschild.)

That ownership is, of course, the Barton family, who can trace their Bordeaux lineage back to Thomas Barton, who left Ireland for the Gironde in 1722 to pursue a career as a wine merchant. We are thrilled, then, to invite Members to an exceptional dinner hosted by Damien Barton on Friday the 13th of December, the 10th generation of the family, at 67 Pall Mall Verbier. Over the course of the evening, we will taste wines from both properties, including the acclaimed 2000 and 2005 vintages, while Damien will not only share the story of the properties and their three-century-long legacy, but also insights into the family’s latest projects and their approach to the future.

Langoa Barton was the first property the family bought, in 1821, preceding the purchase of Léoville Barton, over the road, by five years (another interesting fact: there is no actual château at Léoville – the building on the label is in fact Langoa, where its wines are made). Third growth Langoa traditionally stayed somewhat in the shadow of its more senior sister, but under the long-term management of Damien’s grandfather, the debonair Anthony Barton, both found a place in the heart of wine lovers for their classic Bordeaux profile – and reasonable prices – yielding elegant wines that evolve marvellously with age.

We will also taste wines from the newest addition to the Barton stable. Twelve years ago, the family made its first acquisition since the 1820s – Château Mauvesin, in Moulis, the oldest and smallest AOC in the Médoc, halfway between Margaux and Saint-Julien. The cellars were thoroughly modernised, switching to temperature-controlled, stainless-steel vats alongside French oak barrels. The château, originally built in 1853, was revitalised, and the vineyards underwent extensive replanting.

The evening promises not only a feast for the senses but also an enlightening glimpse into the Barton philosophy of sustainability, legacy and the balance of innovation with family heritage. The wines of all three properties, crafted with elegance and consistency on the gravelly-clay soils of Saint-Julien, will be paired with an exquisite menu specially designed to complement the older vintages and highlight their depth and complexity.

We invite you to join us for what promises to be a very special evening.

The wines we will be tasting:
2012 Château Mauvesin
2018 Château Mauvesin
2013 Château Langoa- Barton
2014 Château Mauvesin
2000 Château Langoa- Barton
2005 Château Léoville- Barton
2012 Château Langoa-  Barton
2012 Château Léoville- Barton

Four-course menu:

Rabbit terrine, quince and rose marmelade, thyme jus
Warm crab, ceviche sauce, avocado, vanilla gel, coriander
Duck in 2 ways:
Duck breast, winter radicchio, red shiso, yellow miso sauce followed by
Agnolotti fill with duck legs, jus, gruyère mousse
Hazelnut fondant, vanilla ice cream, salted crumble

Four-course vegetarian menu:
Celery carpaccio, pomegranate, spinach cream
Tomatoes ceviche, avocado, vanilla gel
Aubergine in 2 parts:
Aubergine tagliata, barbecue sauce, scapece followed by
Raviolini Sicilian ways
Hazelnut fondant, vanilla ice cream, salted crumble

Friday, 13th December
67 Pall Mall Verbier
18:00 Welcome drinks and introduction
18:45 Four-course dinner with paired wines
22:30 Event ends