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. — 20 hours ago

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9.9

The 2010 Montrose is one of the highlights of the Icons of Bordeaux dinner. It has a show-stopper nose with powerful, intense, mineral-rich black fruit, becoming quite floral with aeration. Potpourri hints complement tobacco notes. The palate is fresh, vibrant and weighty, yet paradoxically, it has wonderful finesse. There is a symmetry about this Montrose, coupled with a tremendous length that leaves you wanting more. Brilliant. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the Icons of Bordeaux dinner at Legacy Records in New York. (Neal Martin, Vinous, May 2024)
— 2 years ago

Mike Lev

9.1

For $30 you could do a lot worse. Rich without gobs of fruit, smooth tannins, punching above its weight. — 5 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

The 2014 vintage was the last harvest while Serge Hochar was still alive. He tragically drowned while on holiday, NYE in 2014. I have no logical reason to be wary of Musar’s future as the team involved in producing the wines have been in place for some time. However, Serge’s death was for me, the loss of an wine hero. This is my first experience with the 2014 and I can’t help but reflect on the unforgettable experiences I’ve had drinking wines that he produced.

Decanted for several hours prior to dinner, the wine appears a deep purple turning garnet after plenty of air with an opaque core. High intensity, medium+ viscosity, a touch of sediment. On the nose, this is a wild carnival for the senses with cherries, mulberries, rhubarb pie, Twin Bing, harissa, kofta, pipe tobacco, oud, teriyaki, and event canned peaches (though only after some time in the glass). On the palate, things are much more modest with a very compelling cherry compote and bright cranberry notes with some tobacco and baking spices. Very primary at this stage. Medium tannin with medium+ acid. The finish long…forever and a day with dried cherries and dates bringing me home. While still an infant, this is shaping up to be a lovely and long-lived vintage of Musar Rouge. Cheers, Serge. Your legacy lives on. — 5 years ago

Doctor Alex

9.2

Mavratragano@Syrah — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Deep lemon with aromas of stone fruit, floral, spice and citrus, under went sur lie and French oak aging. On the palate apple flavors of melon and pear, with Meyer lemon zest, vanilla and toasty notes. Nice balance with bright acidity on long creamy finish, savory with citrus, spicy oak and mineral ending, very nice! — 3 months ago

GaryWEdwards

9.5

Really beginning to make a statement — 8 months ago

Ana Bumgardner

9.1

2015 - ages nicely - with homemade pizza. Perfect pairing. Easy to drink red. Sad when the bottle was empty!! — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Deep lemon with aromas of stone fruit, floral, spice and citrus, under went sur lie and French oak aging. On the palate apple flavors of melon and pear, with Meyer lemon zest, vanilla and toasty notes. Nice balance with bright acidity on long creamy finish, savory with citrus, spicy oak and mineral ending, very nice! — 2 years ago

"Odedi"

9.1

#kosherWineSunday

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Strong nose with mediterranean spices and chocolate notes.

Full bodied with medium plus acidity.

Dry and fruit forward on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing blackberries, cooked plums, spices, light cedar, chocolates, coffee, light vanilla, tobacco, herbs, earth, peppercorn, cardamom and licorice.

Nice finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 9 year old Petite Sirah from Israel is drinking very nicely now. Showing nice complexity with a soft mouthfeel.

Peaking now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 years.

Good right out of the bottle, but much better after a couple of hours. Alcohol is well integrated by now.

Rich, concentrated and extracted. Drinks like a high end California red.

Fruit forward, and in your face kind of wine. Not for the faint of heart.

Petite Sirah grapes were aged in oak barrels for 18 months. Kosher and not Mevushal.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$62 (current vintage). — 3 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

#kosherwineSunday

Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim.

Strong fruity nose with blackberries, cooked cherries, cedar, vanilla, spices, earth, tobacco, coffee, herbs light alcohol, light vegetables and peppercorn.

Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with black currants, plums, raspberries, cooked cherries, cedar, leather, earth, vanilla, licorice, spices, tobacco, chocolates, light vegetables, pencil lead and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy strawberries.

This is a delicious Cabernet Franc from Israel. Nicely balanced and good by itself or with food. Tangy, interesting, spicy and attractive. Rich and elegant.

Showing nice complexity at this point, and will age nicely in the next five to seven years.

Needs 90 minutes to open up properly, but good right out of the bottle as well. After 2 hours of airtime, more red fruits come in, and dominate both the palate and the nose.

I paired it with cheeses and crackers. Delicious.

Grapes grow in the Judean Hills region, and fermented on their own yeast. Aged for 18 months in Oak barrels. Kosher and non Mevushal.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$68. — 6 years ago

Valery Webb

9.5

Like this a lot better than the Josh cab — 7 years ago

Amber Petrik

10

CAYMUS Caberet Sauvignon Napa Valley. We drank this with Billie and Rob at Capital Grill in Shops of Legacy. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. I would rank it a 10+ — 7 years ago

Matthew Glading

9.0

Fruity and semi sweet. Great paired with steak. — 6 months ago

ryan lalchand

10

amazing value at $14, everything i want in a red blend — 6 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.6

Continuum Estate – 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc, 17% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot / Vintage 2015
Sage Mountain Vineyard, Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A Bordeaux-inspired red blend from Continuum Estate, perched on Sage Mountain high above Napa Valley. The 2015 vintage, though small in production due to drought and cool flowering conditions, yielded fruit of remarkable intensity and character. Limited quantities make this a collector’s treasure.

Aromas & Flavors
Opens with aromas of cacao, black currant, cardamom, and savory wild herbs. On the palate: lush layers of black cherry, roasted espresso, mountain minerals, and a touch of tangy orange spice. Velvety tannins wrap around ripe black fruit and chocolate notes, finishing long and expressive.

Mouthfeel
Dense, structured, and deeply vinous with remarkable balance between power and finesse. Rich and tactile, yet elegantly polished. Built for both immediate pleasure and decades of graceful aging.

Food Pairings
Best enjoyed with rosemary lamb chops, prime rib, aged gouda, or wild mushroom ragù. But honestly? This wine is an experience in itself, no food required.

Verdict
An elevated expression of Napa Valley mountain fruit, complex, soulful, and deeply memorable. One of those rare wines that leaves you saying, “whoa.”

Did You Know?
Continuum was founded in 2005 by Robert, Marcia, and Tim Mondavi, continuing the Mondavi family’s legacy in Napa with an estate entirely dedicated to Cabernet-family blends from Sage Mountain.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This was a showstopper for me. The 2015 Continuum delivered an elevated experience, the kind of wine that redefines how you think about Napa blends. Truly unforgettable. — 8 months ago

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9.6

The 2016 La Conseillante is a benchmark wine for the estate, perhaps the first where winemaker Marielle Cazaux really made her mark. It has a divine bouquet that halts you in your tracks with its purity. Almost Burgundian in style, black fruit intermixes with blue, just a background scent of incense - less vanillary than before. The palate is marked by svelte tannins, cashmere in texture with just a trace of white pepper. The finish has a welcome sense of edginess with hints of graphite on the aftertaste. It's just the opening chapter in what will be an awesome Pomerol. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the Icons of Bordeaux dinner at Legacy Records in New York. (Neal Martin, Vinous, May 2024)
— 2 years ago

P Plusquellec

9.9

Is hard to imagine how anything could be much better from nose to lingering finish. But, I'll keep searching for the perfect dram. — 5 years ago

Conrad Green

9.4

Quite open. White flowers, lemon oil, oyster shells. Great bracing acidity. Tighter than the legacy alongside. Delicious. — 6 years ago

with Bex and David

Debra Copeland, WSET3, CSWS

9.2

Ripe red fruits and cedar. Bought for a friend’s birthday but couldn’t resist opening gifts. — 7 years ago