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

Will Stanley

9.4

Some wines knock you off your feet immediately, while others take time to do so. Storm Wines’ 2018 ‘Vrede’ Pinot Noir initially took a lot of examination, and changed dramatically between the hour’s decant I’d given it and the following 2-3 hours of drinking. At first, the very vibrant aromas of this young Pinot from South Africa’s esteemed Hemel-en-Arde valley were reminiscent of a pungent negroni, with a touch of Parma Violet and star anise. With time, however, these slightly confected qualities gave way to an impressive savoury bouquet of cranberry, rooibos, beef blood, iron and bitter orange (that Campari scent stuck around, and all the better for it). The palate, in this wine’s case, was even more impressive, continuing to display a savoury profile with a fabulous, zesty mouthfeel and supple tannins.

All in all, this is a beautifully fragrant, youthful PN with a bright future ahead. South Africa isn’t exactly known for its old vines (some Chenin aside), and those of Storm’s were only planted in 2008. Exciting things, then, for this winery. Everyone’s perception of value is different, but at £32/bottle here, it’s easy to recommend getting a case or two.

94+

PS. An added comment - I love the understated labels of Storm‘s wines, but I do wish they’d go back to the wax seal of previous vintages. Wax over foil every day of the week for me..! — 5 years ago

Steven Lee

9.6

Superb nose. Very floral, perfume, lilac. Abit young now with the tannin and bitter finish but a very classic pomerol palate. I am enjoying this. The wine elvolve and changes every hour like you can take a good pomerol changes across 5yrs every 1 hr with this. Very good value for money — 6 years ago

Jan de Weerd

9.6

Blew my socks off! Never tasted a wine like this. A Cab Franc, but so rich, so present, it demanded your full attention every time you take a sip. Vibrant raspberry upfront and dark cherry on the mid palette wrapped in a spice. Phenomenal pairing with home made basil tomato soup and a nice juicy steak. Loving life!!! — 7 years ago

with Tammy

Keith Lite

9.8

Meticulously stores and recently retrieved from storage this Inky and deep purple wine almost makes you sorry you popped the cork thinking this 25 yr old is wanting to sleep for much longer. After 2 hrs of decanting a dense dark nose of blackberries raspberries and currant emerges to take your breath away and your taste buds to a whole diff place. This wine is fabulously thick rich and brooding and should only be approached by patient drinkers everywhere — 7 years ago

S.S. Mandani

9.2

Take your glasses off and make sure you get every inch of your self into the bouquet of this Sonoma/Napa border red.

Rich, peppery, French cut picnic watermelon, creamy, cinnamon.

Wow. Upon first sip, lemon, cool, smooth mouthfeel, not too creamy, but not too tart either. Good balance. Enough zip to awaken the taste buds, but also enough balance to ground you in an earthy, lemon rind, pepper heaven.

Combines with the deep and impressive bouquet, this wine makes for a well-balanced blend of elegance and complexity.

Truly a pleasure to drink.

$25, local wine shop in the East Village. — 8 years ago

Chris Zitzman

9.2

Deep, golden-hue in color, the 2020 Terlano “Kreuth” (100% Chardonnay) is a lush, full-bodied example of the variety. Hints of star fruit and bright citrus notes greet the nose, but it’s on the palate where this wine be shinin’ right now. Full-bodied, rich and glorious is the texture, pinned down by an uncanny mineral-driven sense of place. I learned a long time ago that you just can’t write-off ANY of the Chardonnay that comes from the Alto-Adige region of Italy- or ANYWHERE from Italy for that matter. As it breathes it comes into its own, changing with every breath and reinforcing itself on the finish. See simply: do not overlook. — 9 months ago

with Beth

Salvator Felous

9.6

Totally impressed with this one .. and unexpected! This has depth and a joyful Rythm every time you sip and let it in ..
If you actually take the time to respect it as you would with a big one .. and decant it … it will start playing music for you ! truly a gem … — 2 years ago

Willie Carter

9.1

A really attractive medium ruby in the glass with thin, purple edges. Right out of the gate, you can smell the stemmy character of the wine. Plenty of herbs and characteristic Pinot underbrush happening here. Really pretty floral notes come in and really take things to a new level. Red cherries, raspberries, and muted wild strawberries. A nice bit of spice and smoke wafts from the glass after a little air. On day 2, this holds up quite well with a little light chocolate and more expressive fruit.

100% whole cluster fruit and tiny production. Medium bodied and all natural in every way. Purity of fruit is high here and this is a very terroir driven Pinot. Blessedly low alcohol at 13.5 and showing nice balance at this age, even though this is definitely one to cellar. The palate follows the nose with fresh red fruit and spice up front. More savory notes come through as it grows in the glass. One of my favorite Pinots of this year, easily.
— 5 years ago

Jay Eagan

9.3

Melville always over delivers at their price point! This is a delicious blend of dark fruit and smoked meat. At 8 years old it’s showing unbelievably well. And yes we’re pulling corks a little earlier! Stay well - we need every cork dork to support the wine industry (buy a box of your favorite). See if you can do take/delivery from a great restaurant or a club. — 6 years ago

with Kristine

Ellen Clifford

9.1

Somehow I hoped this would unknit how sewn into Beaujolais I am. Nope. I’m knotted up with these wines as ever and damn I’m claustrophobic but these s-wine-ters (aka wine sweaters can we make this a thing) have room to breath. All of which to say is this has a happy friendliness of a buddy you spend every weekend with. It is complex (fruits! acid! honeysuckle blossomfun!) and has a sense of dry wit (acid cutting, bone dry stone, sullen but no it’s just serious texture) to cut through anyone’s pretense. But it feels welcoming and warm. And full. And will let you lay your head on its bosom OR maybe it is just a sophisticated warm knit to keep that bosom both warm and savvy. All the same it has acid, ripe fruit and warming fruit to make it a winter-tastic cold rosé I’ll keep trying every year — 7 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.3

Dan was being very curmudgeonly as he could taste butterscotch in this wine. I say he was right. I'd ALSO say I'll take every last bottle of this he has left and will even volunteer to take them away personally! Poured a medium amber color. Notes of butter and herb om the nose. Entry is overripe stone ground fruits with a nice weighted base. Butterscotch in front and middle but trails away in the finish where this wine just kind of dances more with a tarragon and peach kind of note. The only white I dared to try with the braised pork and pickled peppers. Although neither was a perfect complement, I was shocked at how this one definitely didn't run away! A true Marcassin! If you have these, I think I'd drink now. — 7 years ago

with Dan and Shay

Severn G

9.3

WOW 🎆...every time we open this bottle I am just floored at the QPR, nothing beats it. For a sub $30 Spätburgunder, I'll take this every vintage.

On the nose we have black pepper and luscious, ripe blackberries/strawberries, perhaps violet sneaking up on you.
On the palate, so smooth with chalky Pinot fruits, sweet spice notes, earthy/loamy minerals and oh the cherries, they just keep coming at you!

Finish is forever, minium 3-4 hour decant required.

Paired with some beautiful 🐖 chops from a 1/2 pig we purchased last fall... Farmer direct, it's the best way to know the quality of your food. — 8 years ago

Daniel M

9.2

You're not 40 every day and I wanted a special wine to celebrate that special day. Fortunately the wine bar / open kitchen restaurant we went to had that special wine, amongst 400 references, that I had been desperate to taste for a long while. I didn't take notes so it's all from memory, but the nose is what I liked the most. Coconut notes, leather, cherries, coffee... I spent probably 15 minutes in total smelling that wine. The palate was great with some acid drive, some matter but not in an overwhelming way, some gentle, well integrated tannins in the rear, before a long finish with savoury notes, red fruits, coconut and that gentle grainy tannic layer. A great experience to top up a day to remember.
Oh and if you happen to be in Warsaw, Poland and be looking for a great wine place, make sure to check out Kontakt - wino & bistro. — 2 years ago

Jon Bjork

9.0

This is really special! Tastes like there is some zinfandel and Shiraz in there. Makes you take a breath to appreciate every sip and it's fantastic with beef! — 4 years ago

S.S. Mandani

9.5

Bready in its breadth and then you take a breath and get the apricot and maybe some mango peel.

Whoosh. After understanding my palate, the homies at Frankly have listened and pointed me to a wonderful bottle. What an adventure. I feel seen.

Waxy, slightly effervescent. Refreshing. I’ll say it again. Refreshing as can be. Well worth the wait after a long run in the heat. Edging on orange, but stopping short of zesty and taking a detour to somewhere along Chenin’s spectrum. Minerality.

Really love this idiosyncratic blend. Something new.

Buy the ticket, take the ride type shiiii. — 5 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.2

Vintage 2015 | off dry Chenin Blanc with excellent balance and a smell that reveals new impressions every time you take the glass to your nose: honey and minerals are prominent | often a wine really expresses itself in combination with food. This Clos Habert is perfect with the peppery rilettes of local star butcher Jean Maurice Lejeune. Second day, with ham in aspic — 6 years ago

Mike R

9.4

On Rhonda’s birthday, we just decided to do a little South American restaurant and bring along wines from the same region - the Don Melchor reserve cab has actually improved from a few years ago - opened and let catch it’s breath while we’re having a tasty chard and what do you know - first sip was Divine- truly an great example of why we on delectable take the time to post about our treats - finally I am lucky man -married 30 years and she is like wine I am mentioning - she gets better everyday - well played Mike - love you babe - happy birthday — 6 years ago

Kristin the Wine Girl

8.9

This is a value wine. You pour it for parties because it’s a crowd-pleaser but you don’t mind a little spillage. It’s also a versatile food pairer thanks to the acidity of the Sangiovese. The hints of oaky influence add a subtle smoke to the cherry flavor after the bottle has a moment to breath. A creative Italian take for Washington. I approve at the price point! — 7 years ago

Chris Morphy

9.8

As you swish the wine around and send your nose to the rim of your glass, a hint of smoke alongside a whiff of spice will tingle your olfactory. Now take that glass and touch the wine to your lips and take the smallest sip while breathing through your nose to be hit hard by 2 of your senses. Now your taste buds will get a rush of oak and black cherry that expands the tongue and moistens the cheeks. The wine will slide down your throat coating every inch with a smooth, buttery texture. The alcohol content hitting you in the deep throat resembling a higher than average alcohol content. This wine is extravagant, but if you have too much at once, the tannins will turn you red. This wine is marvellous and the price tag definitely will reflect that. — 8 years ago