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Château Leoville Barton lies between the towns of Beychevelle and Saint Julien, the estate's few buildings sit directly on the vineyard road, and the vineyards lie just to its west. The wine produced here was classified as one of fifteen Deuxièmes Crus (Second Growths) in the original Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. Léoville-Barton, along with Château Léoville-Las Cases and Château Léoville-Poyferré was once part of the vast Léoville estate. Since 1836, the estate has belonged to the Barton family, of Irish descent. The current owner is Anthony Barton, who has run the estate, along with its sister property Château Langoa Barton, since 1986.   Two red wines are produced from the vineyards of Château Léoville-Barton, an eponymous grand-vin, and a second wine called La Reserve de Léoville-Barton into which is made from lots produced by younger vines or lots deemed lacking the quality of the grand-vin. After a hand picked harvest, fermentation takes place in temperature controlled wood vats for two to three weeks before being transferred into oak barrels (50% of which are new) for aging before bottling.   A high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon makes this a rich and fruity wine with classic Saint Julien cassis-like flavor. In the top vintages, Château Leoville Barton is best about 15 years after the vintage.  Appellation: St Julien Areas under Vine: 47 hectares Average Annual Production: 15,000 cases per annum Soil: Gravelly soils over deeper clay Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (72%), Merlot (20%), Cabernet Franc (8%) Ageing: 20 months in oak barrel Top Vintages: 1982, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2005