Ron Siegel

9.4

Drinking well with beautiful aromatics showing red & mostly black fruits, graphite, licorice, spice box, dried herbs, leather & tobacco notes. — 8 days ago

Michael Amoruso

8.9

2015 vintage. Should have had a bit earlier. Black fruits. Still fresh though. Earthy mint — 5 days ago

Paul Adams

9.4

Aromas of fresh red fruit, petrified, and a slight wood herb scent. Moderate acidity, heavy silky tannins, medium full body, flavors of wet slate, black pepper, and a hint of jammy red fruit — 16 days ago

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. — a month ago

"Odedi"

9.1

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Deep purple in color with a wide reddish rim.

Beautiful nose of black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, licorice, herbs, chocolates, light earth, garrigue and peppercorn.

Full bodied and soft, with medium plus acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, black cherries, plums, light oak, spices, coffee, licorice, tobacco leaf, light earth, chocolates, herbs and peppercorn.

Medium plus on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very tasty Merlot based blend from Saint Emilion. Elegant and nicely balanced. Showing good complexity with a nice mouthfeel.

Needed 2 hours in the bottle to open up.

This 10 year old Merlot from the great 2016 vintage still feels young. Probably in its 'dumb phase' right now, and needs a few more years in the bottle to mature properly. Will continue to age nicely in the next 7 to 10 years.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, and better with food.

A blend of 87% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc. Aged in (50% new) French Oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$125. — 3 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Blend of about 65% Cab Sauv, 25% Merlot and rest Petit Verdot. Deep Ruby with aromas of berry fruit aromas and herb notes. On the palate black raspberry and blackberry, currant-like, with tobacco, leather and smoky oak notes. Fine tannins, medium finish ending with fruit and earthy mineral tones, drink now. — 5 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

This was a check-in to see how ready my 2000 Montrose’s are doing. A good check.

This is absolutely a close relative of the 2nd Growth Montrose. The thing that experience has taught me is, Montrose is a long in the tooth producer. As well, the 2000 Bordeaux vintage mimics that completely.

I would say the 2000 Montrose is finally ready with a longish decant.

This is completely classic Bordeaux and Saint-Estèphe.

The nose shows ripe, lush, nearly candied fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, back/stewed dark cherries, strawberries & raspberry hues. Both dark & milk chocolate to pudding, dry twig/soils, dark rich soils, dry river stone, dark & mid berry cola, anise to black licorice, softly layered baking spices, limestone/sandstone, black tea, used leather & tobacco, black olive tapenade, light cedar, semi-used charcoal, dark, red fresh & slightly withering flowers.

The palate shows nicely resolved M+ rounded, tarry tannins. It has freshness and bright fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, back/stewed dark cherries, strawberries & raspberry hues. Both dark & milk chocolate to pudding, dry twig/soils, dark rich soils, dry river stone, dark spice w/ palate heat, dark & mid berry cola, anise to black licorice, softly layered baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & very light vanillin, limestone/sandstone, moist clay, crushed dry rocks, grey volcanics, black tea, used leather & tobacco, black olive tapenade, light cedar, dark, red fresh & slightly withering flowers, beautiful acidity, it is nicely toned, good structure/tension with a well balanced, elegant & polish finish for days that lasts two-minutes and lands on dry earth & spice.

91-92.

Still has 5-10 yr of life ahead depending on your storage. — 15 days ago

Jeremiah Diaz

9.2

Clear, deep ruby to purple in color; on the nose, it's clean with pronounced intensity primary aromas of black currant jam, dried herbs, and plums; on the palate, it's dry with high acidity, high tannins, high alcohol, full body, and pronounced primary and secondary flavors of blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, bkack olives, and clay pots with a long finish. This wine is complex and intense, but a little too bitter and tannic. Overall, I rate this wine as very good. Nellie didn't not like it with our food. — 13 days ago

with Nellie

Ron Siegel

9.4

This was showing beautifully with good richness, balance, red & black fruits, earth, spice box, cedar, leather & tobacco notes — 2 months ago

Ericsson

9.2

Aged Bordeaux with notes of tobacco, cedar, fig, red plum, black plum. — 4 months ago

Mark S.

9.0

Always good ample aroma including black currant, berry and cherry. Leather. Slightly solid. Better to wait for years. Rafon Rochet 17 @3080, Galeri, 260518 — 3 months ago

Austin Blackwell

9.2

Expressive nose with black fruits and leathery notes. Needs a decant but certainly approachable now. Nice firm tannins. — 4 months ago

with Angelina

"Odedi"

9.2

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Fruity nose and medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity and mouthfeel.

Showing black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, chocolates, toast, licorice, spices, earth, tobacco and herbs.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a delicious Merlot based blend from Bordeaux. Rich and extracted. Nicely balanced and complex.

This 16 year old is starting to drink at its peak now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

Wine Advocate 96 points. Wine Spectator 96 points.

I've had the 2012 a few years ago, but this 2010 vintage is showing so much better.

Needs a couple of hours to open up properly, so be patient.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, or with food.

A blend of 55% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged for 17 months in French Oak barrels. Unfiltered and unfined.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$180. — 4 months ago

"Odedi"

9.3

#AgedWineTuesday

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Nose of blueberries, black plums, cooked cherries, oak, licorice, earth, tobacco leaf, herbs, peppercorn and mediterranean spices.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, black plums, blackberries, light cedar, earth, herbs, dark chocolates, tobacco leaf, light forest floor and black pepper.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 21 year old 4th growth Bordeaux is drinking beautifully now. Still showing enough fruits to balance the earth notes. Rich, elegant and very complex and engaging.

This iconic 2005 vintage is drinking very nicely now, and drinking at its peak. Will continue to drink nicely in the next 10 years. Nicely balanced with a soft mouthfeel.

I had this vintage 2 years ago, and it is drinking much better now, and very approachable right out of the bottle.

Wine Enthusiasts 93 points. Wine Advocate 93 points.

Good by itself as a sipping wine or with food.

A blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot.

13% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$200. — a month ago

Daniel M

9.5

16 years old and kicking! This was one of the very first grand cru classés that I bought when I began my wine journey in the early 10's.
The nose shows tar, pine resin, mushrooms, damp autumn forest floor, cedar, old leather, dark cherries, black currant. Some many layers! The palate is complete with fully integrated tannins, a very smooth, silky mouthfeel, nice cherry and black currant notes all along, fully integrated tannins which caress the tongue in the rear, and a long and smooth finish, leaving a nice dusty layer amongst nice cherry and black currant touches. Some cedar, light oaky notes pop up as well as a nice saline touch which adds a layer of complexity. It's in a perfect place right now. Great wine! — a month ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

This was showing well with its red & black fruits, spice, orange peel, earth, mineral & floral notes — 2 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Mostly black fruits, cedar, leather, sweet spices, mocha & tobacco — 3 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Red & black fruits, cassis, spice box, cedar, leather & tobacco — 3 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Medium Ruby with aromas of black and red fruits with floral spice notes. On the palate flavors of cherry and blackberry with smoke and tobacco notes. Generous acidity on fine soft tannins with a long finish ending with fruit and floral spice. Drinking well now! — 4 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.5

Strawberries, black cherries, dark chocolate and truffles. Very powerful. Apparently it is aged in 100% new oak, which is often not the best idea,but in this one it's perfectly integrated. Very long finish. — 4 months ago