Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

There are a number of things I can say about Leoville Barton. For me, it is a storied property and experience.

To this point, I have had quite a few 2000 Bordeaux’s, none of them ready as this one. Given what I know about Anthony & his legacy, most of his good vintages were made for your children. So, color me surprised.

While this 2000 is drinking well, it is far from its precipice. There is another 20 yrs plus of road here.

Sofia and I have had the pleasure of dining at the same table with Anthony Barton and his wife in the early teens of 2000. He was a salt of the earth gentleman. His wife, lovely. At dinner that night, he told us a story I will not forget. A story prompted by a question from my wife. He and his wife drove from France to Switzerland. They were stopped at the border and asked to get out of the car as they had a case of wine with them. At that time and maybe still now, you can’t take wine over the border into Switzerland. The border guard called the powers to be and recanted the story of them trying to bring wine into Switzerland. He told them their name. The person on the other end of the phone said, who? They said, Anthony Barton. The reply, was let him through. That’s respect!!!

His daughter Lilian has taken the helm. She is also salt of the earth and a great Bordeaux Ambassador. May Anthony RIP.

This 2000 is classic Bordeaux in every way.

The nose shows steeped & candied fruits that are; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, poached strawberries, black cherries, purple & blue fruit hues (classic Barton). Graphite, dry tobacco, dry leather, dry limestone bits, dark Asian spices, dry herbs, dry river stone, dark, rich, forest floor, anise to black licorice, mid colas, fresh, candied to withering florals that are; dark, red, blue and violets.

The palate shows, M+ rounded, fine grain tannins. The nose mirrors the palate in many ways. Steeped, candied, ripe, juicy fruits that are; brambly blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, poached strawberries, black cherries, raspberries, purple & blue fruit hues. Leoville Barton shows purple & blue fruits more than most other left bank producers. Graphite, dry tobacco, cedar, dry leather, dry limestone bits, dry top soils, saline, caramel, mocha powder, German chocolate cake, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, dark Asian spices w/ some heat, dry herbs, touch of black pepper, grilled meats, dry river stone, dark, rich, forest floor, anise to black licorice, black tarriness, mid colas, fresh, candied to withering florals that are; dark, red, blue and framed in liquid violets, acidity is grand, well balanced/structured, highly toned, elegant & smartly polished finish that lasts minutes and settles on earth & dark spice.

Decanted 90 minutes and enjoyed over nearly three hours.

Appreciated the 12.5% ABV. Many would say that is not possible in the modern wine era. Anthony says otherwise w/ his 2000.

95-96. — 19 days ago

Karen Larson

9.5

Smooth velvety, deep blackberry and smoke. #liquidheaven #thatsgoodshit — 5 years ago

with Craig

Daniel Taub

9.6

One word. Stunning. @Anthony Biagi — 6 years ago

John Malcolm

10

Extraordinary. Inky, deep purple color. Intoxicating bouquet. Plums, blackberries, dark cherries, chocolate, and a hint of tobacco. Full mouth feel. Elegant. Complex. A finish with a hint of sweetness. Decant for at least 60 minutes - it’s worth the wait. — 7 years ago

Michael Piaker

9.3

12 August 2018. The Four Horsemen, Brooklyn, NY. — 8 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.1

60 yo vines.

N: dusty cherry. Lovely nose.

P: delicious cranberry. Some bitterness. Well made. Tannic a bit.

Source $38 — 5 months ago

Gemma Duncan

9.0

Perfect with jambalaya — 4 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.0

A lineup of 10 August West and Roar Pinots, 2007-2011, all made by wine maker Ed Kurtzman, who attended our tasting. I found this to be elegant and delicious. — 5 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.4

A lineup of 10 August West and Roar Pinots, 2007-2011, all made by wine maker Ed Kurtzman, who attended our tasting! This one was meaty and elegant, my #2 of the group. — 5 years ago

Melanie Lapointe

9.6

Lovely Canadian orange wine. Tastes like a grapefruit bouquet of flowers! — 5 years ago

Ann Kunes

9.0

Very good, a little sweeter than some. Very flavorful, fruit forward. Repeat — 7 years ago

Jay Lane

8.9

Good, smooth, tasty — 8 years ago

Beau Carson

9.1

Gorgeous wine and perfect blind. — 8 years ago

Miyuki Yoshino

9.3

smooth aroma — 2 years ago

Kristin Cancellieri

9.0

Dried cherries, spicy herb and soft baking spice on the palate. Delicious with braised meats — 4 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.3

Six Pinots, all made by Ed Kurtzman, of August West and Roar fame who also consults to Freeman and Mansfield Dunn. Ed joined our tasting. Elegant — 5 years ago

Tom Walsh

9.0

Very dry, crisp fruit — 5 years ago

Chris Grimm

9.2

Honey, peaches, kind of like a complex fruit cup syrup mixed with pure gold. These wines are always so sensual. — 6 years ago

Derryck Green

9.4

Full bodied Pinot. Suggest decanting first — 7 years ago

JS

9.7

1988 vintage on August 27th, 2015 in Alexandria, LA — 8 years ago