Andrew Cullimore

9.1

Garnet core , terracotta rim . Spiced red fruit undergrowth , touch of brown sugar , grafite , tobacco , dried mushroom, touch of smoke . On the palate quite elegant red fruited , dried cranberry , red currant , still very much alive , just enough acidity. Slightly short on the finish , but with a round palate and a slightly sweet , brown sugar tinged finish . Still very much alive and enjoyable . Better than expected — 6 hours ago

Brett Francis

9.5

This was fantastic, strong, and yet still seemingly understated. Although I am no fortune teller, this seemed strong and young. I couldn’t place all the flavors I experienced, but to my palate there was raspberry, blackberry, smoked meats, soil after a rain, and portobello mushroom all matched with a beautiful color to stare at between sips. Long pauses to enjoy the long finish. — 3 months ago

Charlie Tapp

9.4

Toasted marshmallow / marzipan / meringue driven by the toasty oak. Tangerine, orchard fruit, candied ginger, pear, honeydew and green fig. Dense, concentrated and decadent.

And yet not flabby.

Plenty of good years left. — 5 months ago

Dan Huddleston

9.5

Lots of eucalyptus at opening. 15 mins in it begins to settle in. Leather, mushroom on the nose with the ever present eucalyptus. Really well structure fruit on the palette, a tinge of acidity and a bit sharp on the finish. More time in the glass brings a balance that’s amazing for a 39 year old wine. Thankfully no one here to share!
— a month ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Quite young but totally ready to drink. Beautiful aromas of wild berries, violets and wet potting soil. The palate is full of red berry fruit with notes of mushroom, Earl Grey tea, fresh basil, mint and sweet spices. A note of “steaminess” (whole cluster?) and a beautiful touch of mineral on the finish. Lovely balance and perfect acidity. Light bodied, silky tannins and so fresh tasting. Great effort! — 2 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.3

Medium deep copper tinged . Basically still , with a slight spritz notable on the palate. Nicely fruited still quite rich and decadent . Candied peel with slight caramel note , brioche . On the palate still fills out very well with good fresh acidity cutting the richness of the yellow fruits. Good length and balance for a wine of this age. This needs drinking won’t improve , but is still surprisingly enjoyable. — 3 months ago

Nathan Renfro

9.3

Nose was not showing much. Primarily plum, some cassis, earthy, mushroom, log fire, lots going on. Nice mouthfeel, medium finish. — 8 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Leoville Barton is one of my favorite St. Julien producers and still one of the best values upon release of Left Bank Bordeaux’s. If my memory is correct, I think this was WS’s wine of the year a few years ago.

I haven’t had this since the release at UGC. It was so fresh then. It has definitely put on weight and showing some nice evolution. But, Anthony made his wines for the ages. This will rise 2-3 points with 20 years bottle age.

It is round and lush. Blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, purple fruits, blueberries, some creamy raspberries & dark cherries. Anise, light graphite, tobacco ash, leather, dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dry river stone, limestone marl, dark spice, dry herbaceous notes, hints of black olive, black licorice, dry stems, mix of dry & candied dark flowers, very nice round acidity and a well; balanced, structured, tensioned and polished finish that last minutes.

Would open this in 2032 and beyond. — a month ago

Matt Perlman

9.3

Yep, it was good. Big and rich. Burnished copper color, brioche, apple, bitter grapefruit, white mushroom. — 3 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.6

Pnp perfection with a captivating and explosive layered bouquet of candied red cherries, rose petals, coffee beans and exotic spices. The palate is luxuriously silky with obvious grand cru weight and intensity and there is stunning purity and elegance to balance such power and exhilarating energy. An incredible combination. Its spice and mineral laced finale just keeps on going. One of the best CDLR’s in the biz was perfect tonight. — 6 months ago