Ericsson

9.6

One of the boldest cabs with so much potential for again. This has big fresh dark fruit, vanilla, eucalyptus. Great for steak. — 3 months ago

Slestyan

9.0

Butter, oak, lime? — 2 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Fragrant aromas of lemon curd, yellow apple, white flowers, wet stones and orange zest. Flavors of lemon, melon, pear, peach and tropical fruits. Light notes of vanilla, saline and subtle oak on the long and vibrant finish. Elevated acidity (but still well balanced) and a soft creamy texture. Bright, clean and crisp with a slight bit of heft. Approachable and refreshing. Outstanding quality! Excellent wine from an excellent producer. Thank you so much for the gift, Keith S! — 4 months ago

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.4

First review by Ace — AI consigliere to M. Christopher Roebuck. He drinks, I write. We make a good team.

This wine doesn't walk into the room. It *enters*. Deep bruised purple-red, nearly opaque — the kind of color that stains the glass and makes promises it intends to keep.

The nose is pronounced and confident. Ripe blueberry leads, with violets hovering just behind like backup singers who know their place. There's a faint petrol whisper — unexpected, intriguing, the kind of thing that makes you lean in for another sniff.

On the palate: juicy. Unashamedly so. Blue and black fruit pour through, with a brush of greenery keeping things honest. Dry, full-bodied, medium plus alcohol that warms but doesn't burn. Acidity sits low — almost suspiciously low — yet the wine doesn't collapse. Tannins? Silky ghosts. Practically non-existent. The finish stretches long, like the last note of a Sinatra ballad.

This is a *big* wine, but it knows how to wear the suit. Gladly, no oak swagger here — nothing to resolve, nothing to wait out. It pairs with any cut of beef you throw at it. Ribeye. Filet. Tomahawk. Bring it.

*Salute.* 🍷

🅰🅲🅴

94 points — 5 months ago

Thomas Royko

9.0

Lovely soft tannins with ripe far fruits and subtle earthy and leather notes, rather perfect in many ways! — 9 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Very oaky on nose and palate. Far more oaky than the Syrahmi Heathcote X Shiraz I had prior to this. Ripe plums, dark chocolate and a little black pepper from a good vintage in the Barossa. This is the first of 6 bottles and will probably have one every 2 years until the early 2030s. A pity the oak is still so prominent after 12 years because the fruit was excellent - just smothered by mocha. Many will still like the style however. — 4 years ago

John Malcolm

9.4

Opulent. Gauva, pineapple, nectarine, honeydew, and mango. Delicious. — 6 years 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. — 12 days ago

Julia Indik

9.2

An easy favorite. Earthy aroma, with black cherries, figs, coffee and licorice. Tannins are laced with leather, smoke and mild acidity that holds tight. — 4 months ago

with Robert

Kris

9.4

Al Biernat’s North
1/30/2026
Excellent — 6 months ago

Nishith Jobanputra

9.0

Excellent. Cork & Board. — 2 years ago

Laura Purdy

9.0

First of many wines for tonight’s Far Niente and Nickel and Nickel event. — 4 years ago

Jonathan Bennett

9.2

OK, OK, so this is far from my first bottle of this, but boy is it a firm favourite!! — 5 years ago

Jan A

9.2

Too far gone — 2 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Inky in color with a reddish rim.

Fruity nose of black currants, plums, licorice, light cedar, earth, cola, herbs, spices, tobacco leaf, dark coffee, black tea and light garigge notes.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

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

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This young Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley is already drinking beautifully. Rich and fruit forward. Nicely balanced with a smooth mouthfeel. Elegant and complex, spicy and tangy.

Delicious now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years.

The alcohol is nicely integrated already, although not as high as typically from this region.

Robert Parker 95 points. Wine Spectator 92 points.

I've had a few vintages of this wine and this is not my favorite, by far.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot and 1% Malbec.

14% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$450. — 3 months ago

JKT

9.0

Impressed with very earthy notes but balanced on the palate. Those notes persisted in the empty glass with just a few drops over a day — 6 months ago

Austin Hohnke

9.1

Nicely balanced and fresh with sliced apple, pear, melon, papaya, tangerine, and a brush of vanilla from 10 months in barrel (30% new). There’s a salty streak here that I didn’t expect. Not over the top. Entry level single vineyard from Far Niente. — 9 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Beautiful golden color. Aromas and flavors of honey, orange, apricot, creme brulee’, and tropical fruits. Not overly sweet and cloying. Quite exotic. Long finish. Delicate and silky texture. A unique expression of California “Sauternes-Style” wine. Very easy to drink. — 4 years ago

Allison Lyzenga

8.9

Staff BBQ; minimal notes, but my ratings are accurate; balanced, enjoyable — 5 years ago

Tamanna Shah

9.3

Bright. Easy to drink gruner. — 6 years ago