Jay Kline

9.6

See my previous notes from last year. By all accounts, this bottle is an analog of the previous bottles I have enjoyed of the 2021 “Vie Erte”. This time, I was able to track the wine over three days and it never lost power. The fruit and structure are in harmonious balance. I am so excited to try this vintage when it begins to show some secondary characteristics…but I’m fully expecting to see exercise some serious patience. These wines will love for a very long time. — a month 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. — 2 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

90% Tempranillo; 10% Graciano. Red fruited perfume, earthy with medium plus intensity. Palate at 21 years is developed, balanced and soft with fully integrated tannins. Medium weight with declining strength to its inner core. Not near as good on the 2nd night. This aged overnight and finishes a little sour. I was going to give it 94 points but will now give 90 points. — a year ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Straw gold color. Blend of Malvasia (45%), Rhein Riesling (40%) and Friulano (15%). Intensely floral on the nose with a hints of apricot, honey and a touch of petrol. Green apple, pear and minerals fill the pallet. Spicy and citrusy finish. Clean and rich. Intense acidity. Outstanding food wine. — 4 years ago

Jocholla

9.2

Really well balanced. Expressive and concentrated. — 5 years ago

Timothy

9.2

Dificil a ciegas decir que es un pinot origin, Macerado con la cáscara, el color es casi un rosé. Muy bueno — 14 days ago

"Odedi"

9.2

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark ruby in color with a purple rim.

Beautiful nose and medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing red and black fruits with cedar, licorice, chocolates, herbs, light earth, spices, tobacco leaf, dark coffee and light green vegetables.

Spicy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This iconic Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Santa Cruz Mountains in California is still very young, but already delicious, even by itself.

Needs a few hours to open up properly, and will continue to age nicely in the next 30 years. Showing good potential to become a 95+ point wine.

A great sipping wine that paired beautifully with my Lamb chops.

A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Aged in American oak barrels for 20 months.

13.8% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$300. — 2 months ago

Peter van Dijk

9.4

@delectable, this is the boghis climat — 4 months ago

Wulf Losee

9.3

Floral notes on the nose — roses, hibiscus, plus mint, and the dry fragrance of sun-bleached wood. Strawberries on the front. Medium tannic structure. Black tea high notes with hint mint on the mid palate. Citrusy finish with long acidic afterburn. My description fails in that it makes it sound like a light and floral wine. But taken altogether, this is wine is rock solid, and it hasn’t even begun to develop. — 8 months ago

Bill Morgan

9.0

Very soft on the palette with floral and some spice — a year ago

Mike Obley

9.1

Wet linear, aggressive eservence. Disgorged 7/2022 — 2 years ago

Kamall

9.1

I love this lighter weight, more aromatic Grenache. Well worth a look. — 5 years ago

Tom Garland

9.2

04 was an uneven growing season, maybe a little underrated since stuck between 03 & 05...good en primeur pricing for the 04s...Got this for around $150.

1.5 hour decant (decent chunky sediment). A captivating dark crimson color with a slight bricking. On the nose: sweet red fruit, cassis, floral, cedar, smoked meat, and mint. Taste: fresh, nice acidity, good structure, med to full body wine with blackberry, dried herbs, spice box, pencil lead, with a plum vanilla medium plus finish and a little tannic kick at the end.....few more bottles in the cellar to follow over the next few years. Cheers! — 6 years ago

with Brenda

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

I recently had a conversation with a few Joseph Phelps Ambassador’s at Pebble Beach Food & Wine in April. I said, I had every vintage of Insignia back to 2006 in storage. They said, “you should really drink up the 2006.” So, I coravined an 06 last weekend, a taste. I agreed then. But tonight not the case, it shows it still has a fair amount of life. Another 5-8 yrs and perhaps plus.

My Ribcap, a definition of Medium Rare Plus.

The nose reveals floral; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, poached strawberries, dark cherries and blue fruit notes. Melted dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, softly layered baking spices, very underrated graphite, steeped tea, mid berry cola, red licorice, limestone powder, dry top soil, dry twig, red, dark candied to slightly withering florals w/ liquid violet cola.

The palate shows well resolved, rounded, velvety M+ tannins. Nicely ripe fruits that are floral; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, poached strawberries, dark cherries and blue fruit notes. Melted dark chocolate, mocha, caramel river, softly layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick & vanillin, warm caramel, dark Asian spices with palate burrowing heat, dry tobacco/ leather, cedar, grilled meats, very underrated graphite, sweet tarriness, black licorice, steeped tea, mid berry cola, red licorice, limestone powder, dry top soil, dry twig, red, dark candied to slightly withering florals w/ liquid violet cola, candied to withering; dark, red, blue florals wrapped in liquid violets, epic rainfall acidity, well balanced-structured-toned, elegant finish that lasts minutes and falls on earth & heated spice.

95-96 peaking. — a month ago

JOHNMERCIE

9.1

A wonderful flavor. The crisp spiciness is very pleasant. — 3 months ago

Brad Baumgarten

9.2

Delicious. 2009 Drank on Super Bowl Sunday 2026. Still plenty of dark red fruit. Still juicy. — 7 months ago

Mark S.

8.9

Good Château La Fleur de Boüard Le Plus Lalande de Pomerol, Merlot 16 @18920, Pieroth, 251117 — 10 months ago

Vijay Parikh

9.1

With a three hour decant still very tannic and stemmy. Probably needs another five plus years — 2 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

#AgedWineTuesday.

When in Rioja, drink Rioja.

Reddish in color with a wide reddish rim.

Nose of red fruits with earth and mildew notes.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity and mouthfeel. Elegant and restrained.

On the palate red fruits with earth, light wood, spices, coffee, dark chocolates, tobacco leaf, herbs, light wet leaves and peppercorn.

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

This recent release of this Rioja Reserva is drinking very nicely now.

A good quality wine. Easy drinking, and a good food wine that I paired with dried meats and crackers.

This 11 year old feels so very young still, and will continue to age nicely in the next 25 years.

Needs time to open up properly, but good right out of the bottle too.

A blend of 70% Tempranillo with Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo. Aged for 6 years in used American oak barrels.

13% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$60. — 3 years ago

Sean

9.8

Drank April 2021. Still quite young and very vibrant. Well rounded tannins and great structure. Jam, plum, blueberry, blackcurrant, raspberry and pepper notes. Has another 15 plus years of life left but drinks well now. — 5 years ago