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

Ken Southall

9.0

A bit of oak with a long finish. $30 — 8 months ago

Adam Baker

9.1

Rowan’s Creek - vanilla. Smooth. Bartender said it was the master distiller’s favorite Willett because “it tastes like bourbon.” — a year ago

Warren Rios

10

Best liquor on the market. — 5 years ago

Ryan Stewart

8.9

Golden amber color. Briny, diluted iodine, smoky, red fruit, floral and herbal notes on the nose. Warm mouthfeel. Hints of sherry and stewed fruits on the palate. — 6 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.2

Damn good, heard the 18 year is amazing but hard to get — 7 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.1

vintage 1986 | 40 y old, beautiful wine with great intensity — 2 months ago

Austin Blackwell

9.2

Expressive nose with black fruits and leathery notes. Needs a decant but certainly approachable now. Nice firm tannins. — 3 months ago

with Angelina

Stephanie Becker

9.3

Recommended by wine lady at Wegmans for our AppyHour cheese box — 6 months ago

Dave

9.3

I've bought this for the past 4 years, and this bottling is the most fruit forward. Candied fruit- apricots, cherries, and dates. The price has gotten out of hand, but it's yummy!
Listening to CSNY — 6 months ago

Anne Richardson

9.1

A delightful white wine! Fresh and lively. We enjoyed it on Christmas Eve with Seared scallops & garlic-herb risotto. — 3 years ago

Gunja Gargeshwari

9.5

Honey, port wine on the nose with a silky mouthfeel and perfect viscosity. The finish has a burn which is perfect not soft like an aberlour and it’s not sweet either. Masterpiece! — 5 years ago

Brent Bailey

9.1

Beautiful bourbon, nice amount of oak, brown sugar, vanilla and easy to drink. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Apparently one of the oldest Distillery sites in Scotland. Located by the sea on the Isle of Islay this receives the slowest distillation of any Islay malt, then spends 16 years in old oak casks before being bottled. This is very pungent, peaty and smoky. One of my favourite single malts. — 3 months ago

James K

9.7

The hype is real — 4 months ago

with Paul

Alvaro Bustillos

9.2

Atlanta con jesus o — 7 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.1

2016 vintage. Floral nose. An elegant, fresh medium-bodied Moulis with soft tannin and good length. Fine value. — 10 months ago

Adam Baker

9.2

Molasses, brown sugar, nutmeg. Spicy oak finish. Very good, but has a kick. 128.7 proof. — 4 years ago

with Brud

Christian Fischer

9.0

Nice one. Always a joy to fly via the LX Whiskey Bar in ZRH — 7 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.2

Happy #WorldWhiskeyDay. Medium amber in appearance. Warm and inviting nose. Sweet and rich layered nose and palate with some sherry influence, tropical fruits and full bodied. A bit sharp but well rounded and rich. — 7 years ago

with India