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. — 21 days ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.4

Ricky mora — 9 months ago

Patrick Peters

9.2

Dry, good acidity which is a little unusual for a Riesling. Good weight, bright color, this wine is delicious! — 5 years ago

with Sarah

Severn G

9.2

Picking up a juiced pear on the nose today, but otherwise prior notes still apply:

Nose has ripe yellow apple, lightly oxidized green apple peel, baked phyllo dough, partially aromatic white flowers and damp rocks. I always get a natural wine vibe here, without the vinegar-like profile, but it seems alive!

Palate has baked green and yellow apple pastry, crisp acidity yet dense, candle wax begins on the finish and ends with dry granite. Great balance, very lengthy finish, clean and not cumbersome, superb vintage, long life ahead. We love you Jean-Jacques. — 6 years ago

Craig Stanfield

9.5

Too young, but hey, that’s why I bought a few. So I could try over time. On opening, it’s quite saline with high acid. It’s refined with blue and red fruit. After a few hours, it starts to integrate more. Can’t wait to taste it on day 2. — 8 years ago

Kyle Katterjohn

9.4

Doing an Alaskan cruise@w Regent I get 2 bottles a day and have really enjoued@it@ Will@repeat — 2 months ago

Mark Osmers

8.9

Excellent, easy drinking — 5 months ago

Tommy

8.9

Plumb and allspice. What a good finish! — 5 months ago

John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

9.1

Nice vintage of this. — 6 months ago

Aaron Tan

9.4

Absolutely singing after 2 days. Beautiful floral nose with black and blue fruits, and tinges of cut grass, roasted meat, pepper, smoke, and liquorice. Dense and chewy in the mouth, with a long and smooth finish. Banging, as one might expect of Jamet! — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Been awhile since I pulled out an Insigna.

The 03 Pichon Lalande is the better wine and steak pairing. However, Napa Cabernet is the choice to finish steak and enjoy on its own after. You never want to do Napa before Bordeaux IMHO. It’s much harder to adjust from sweeter to something more earthy.

Enjoyed the 05 as my score reflects. I don’t remember it being as sweet as it was in previous tastings. Still quite good. It just tipped my sweet scale a little too much.

The body is, rich, lush & round. It’s achieved good evolution after 13 years in bottle and will continue to improve over the next 6-8 years and last another 15 years. As I mentioned, the fruit was ripe & sweet. Blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, plums, hints of blueberries and strawberries haunting the backend. Rich, dark earth, Rutherford dusty tannins and dry soils, purple cola, touch of fresh tobacco & graphite, light baking spices of; cinnamon, dash of clove, nutmeg and vanillin, anise to black licorice, saddle-wood, used leather, dry stems, some dry, crushed rocks/limestone with red, dark, purple and blue florals. The acidity round and nicely executed. The finish was similar wire to wire. It’s, lush, rich, elegant, touch too sweet, polished, well balanced & knitted with a soft, persistent, dark spice on the long set. Very enjoyable second bottle.

Photos of; Joseph Phelps Winery & sloping estate vines, inside lounge are with views of the back side, tasting terrace and front lobby/salon area upon entering past check in. — 6 years ago

with Christina and James

Paul Rollett

9.0

Earthy and tons of red berry goodness. Classic pencil eraser on the nose, great Gamay! — 8 years ago

Sam Friedland

8.9

Nice wine for 1/2 s price of Paso Robles Rhône style wines, minerals and Mellon. — 3 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Deep Ruby color with aromas of black fruits, cedar, citrus, herbs and floral spice. On the palate flavors of cherry and strawberry with cola, floral and sweet cinnamon herb spice notes. Full-bodied, fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit, slight oak, herbs and a savory earthy mineral character. Nice! Decant! — 4 months ago

Tooty Frooty

9.3

Yummy! (Lufta gärna!)
Edit: till o med godare dagen efter. #caves — 6 months ago

Chris Palmer

9.4

Was in the Chairman’s Select collection at our PA state store for $19.99. Delightful. — 7 months ago

Arleigh

9.0

Fruity, not heavy or too sweet — 5 years ago

Lynn Derbyshire

9.0

Delicious w/ grilled pork chops and roasted cauliflower. Smooth, with a hint of sweetness, I want more! 3/13/20 at home w/ Chas — 6 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.2

Bright, dark red with ruby highlights. Very dark aromas of black cherry, cassis, blueberry and licorice. Then rather plush, sweet and full for Opus One, conveying a chocolatey ripeness to its dark berry flavors. Finishes with smooth tannins that build without going dry. This wine was broad and smooth from the outset. Today it's a generous mouthful but a bit clunky compared to some more recent vintages. This was reportedly the first vintage to include a significant percentage of Petit Verdot, and that may explain the wine's emphasis on black and blue fruits. (14.5% alcohol) (Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, July 2019) — 7 years ago

Cate Harmon

9.8

crisp and strawberry-y — 8 years ago