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 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Making notes from memory 2 days later. A departure from trying local Gippsland wines back to the ever reliable Yarra Valley for Pinot Noir and Tarrawarra. Red fruited and sappy. Owned by another Melbourne billionaire, and philanthropist, Marc Besen (like the recently visited Point Leo owned by fellow billionaire and brother in law in John Gandel). . Worth a visit if you’re in the Yarra not only for the wines but the fabulous Australian Art Collection. I had lunch here around 5 or 6 years ago and viewed the art and enjoyed their Pinot and Chardonnay. Footnote: Marc Besen passed away 2 months ago aged 99. — 3 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

#AgedWineTuesday

Here is a delicious 100 point wine from Australia.

Deep inky in color with a short brick rim. Not showing age much.

Strong sweet nose of black fruits with tobacco, raisins, dried fruits, oak, licorice, eucalyptus, light vinaigrette and peppercorn.

Full bodied and elegant with medium acidity.

Dry on and fruity on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, light vanilla, earth, tobacco leaf, herbs, peppercorn, pencil lead, dark coffee and dark chocolates.

Short finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a delicious Shiraz from Barossa Valley. Rich and elegant, with nice complexity and mouthfeel.

A good quality wine that needs a couple of hours to open up properly.

This 27 year old is still drinking very nicely. Past its prime, but still very enjoyable.

Robert Parker 100 points.

Good by itself or with food. A good sipping wine.

100% Shiraz grapes were aged in American oak barrels for 3 years.

15.2% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$300. — 3 years ago

Philip Curran

9.5

For me, at this price point, this is a bargain. High but balanced acidity, medium body but feels full, creamy and soft. The nose is not super strong but some lemon, unripe peach, faint bready notes; finish is medium long and ends on a wonderful chalky note. Excited to explore the Cru offerings from Piuze down the road but very happy with this until the budget allows for that. — 5 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.3

Man, this one gave the younger Aubert Ritchie a run for its money. This is drinking perfectly at this point. Lots of herbs and yellow peach on the front with probably less acidity than it had a few years ago. Very rounded and full bodied mouthfeel. A little bit of kiwi and pear. Toward the finish, this one still showed a tiny bit of astringency. With the right aging, I think this one still has another three to five years and it without a doubt. Definitely not over the hill, although I would say this one is really close to peak. — 6 years ago

with Dan, Bradley and 2 others

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

Elegant, refined and focused. Pineapple, lemongrass, hints of grapefruit, lime curd, wet slate and a stony minerality. The finish is long, racy and energetic with pin point precision. Fantastic now and even better down the road. — 7 years ago

Bruce Dunbar

8.9

The 2022 Desti, a Grenache dominant blend from the middle elevations of Merum’s vineyard in the Priorat, is wonderfully ripe and approachable even at this relatively early stage. Sweet black and red fruit, minerality and concentration showing the rocky soil of the region, a bit of balsamic and mild spice. The tannins are stiff, acidity is brisk and it runs a touch hot at 15.5%abv, all of which point to the potential of a long future and softer wine down the road. — 3 months ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

8.9

This was very stinky upon opening. Not convincing at this point at 100$. — 5 months ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.0

Not sure. Expected some unique flavors. Yet this turned out to be kind of a middle of the road good Chard. — a year ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I get why people who generally always review this producer as just good consuming it young. This is ten years from birth, eight years in bottle and it is still not at its peak. it has ten years and perhaps more properly stored. Very good tonight but better things ahead. It takes this long and longer for WS Pinots to shine.

The palate is, juicy, ripe, rich, a bit lush; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, purple fruits, hues of blueberries, plum and ripe to dry strawberries with a pomegranate overlay. Then, dry earthiness, top soil, crushed rocks & powdery limestone & chalkiness, dark spices, some black pepper, dry brush, eucalyptus, tree sap, sun tea, black and red cola/licorice, drier tobacco, barrel dust to shavings, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanilla, touch of dry herbs-bay leaves & sage, bright red, pink, blue, purple florals framed in dark slightly withering florals, rain shower acidity, the finish is; well structured & balanced in fruit, earth & flowers, some more tension than I like but will soften & fade nicely in 3-5 years. But, wire to wire really even and stunning. Evolution & integration is good but needs 3-5 years to be its best. Coravin glass.

IMHO, one of the outstanding CA Pinot producers. Walter Hansel gives them a run for the money at their fantastic price point. — 3 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

Albeit young, 2008 Cristal is drinking very well at this point in time, even if unsurprisingly not yet showing all that it can be. Drank solo over the course of 3 hours in a Burgundy glass, it had plenty of time to evolve and express. 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, 08 Cristal flaunts a gorgeous bouquet of fresh white flowers, yellow orchard fruit, baking spice, vanilla bean and crushed seashells. The palate is searingly intense with ripping citrusy acids, incredible elegance and pin point precision in its delivery before giving way to a saline and mineral infused finish that just keeps going. Again, very young, no doubt, and while already terrific, it’s easy to see what the fuss is about and how special the vintage will be down the road. But in my opinion there’s no harm in drinking now if you accept and enjoy the stage it will be in. — 4 years ago

Willie Carter

9.2

Low production. Exceedingly high quality. Produced with lower pressure but results in much, much joy. A light golden robe with not many bubbles due to the low pressure. Very creamy however. In that good way. Quite mineral on the nose with an abundance of floral scents. Croissants and orange peel with a schmear of honey. Those citrus aromas really start to take over after time in the glass.

Pure Grand Cru Chardonnay from Cramant in the Côte des Blancs. Consisting of 35/65 of the 2014 and 2015 vintages and disgorged in 2020 with an Extra Brut dosage of 3 g/l. This is one of those non vintage bottles that makes you reconsider not aging them. It’s so clear that this will continue to grow and blossom and be even more stunning a few years down the road.

Subtle and soft with high acid. Saline precision and tension for days. So generous on the palate even at this youthful point in its journey. Fresh citrus fruits tickle the tongue while herbs hold your attention. Long finish with a bite of spice. Will be excellent if you have patience and hold. Or you could be like me and drink now. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Nice dark currants, silky texture but, a lean Dominus at this point. Lots of blackberries, dark cherries and grippy earthiness. Definitely, wait for better thinks down the road. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Hopefully Delectable will allow me to write a complete note. Here we go ….
Dark Ruby with a crimson rim. Closed on the nose initially. Straight from the bottle - should have decanted it. Rich on the palate. Latent power with much to give. Dark cherry with dried herbs still to come with further cellaring. This is the first of 5 bottles. In the early days Block 3 was the undisputed best Pinot in NZ but now Block 5 is considered along with other contenders from around NZ. Have the next one in a year. Many good judges think this is the best ever Block 3 up to this point. — 3 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2020 vintage. PNP'd. Heavy bod. Definitely interesting blend and it works. The 15.1% not super-Paso obvious but you just know it'll show up at some point down the road. Tannins no shrinking violet here yet not as fearsome as one might suspect. Pretty good balance now interspersed with spice cameos and the nagging suspicions that another 4-5 years will find this in the sweet spot. Pick up a few bottles for variety's/varietals sake. 10.26.24. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured. The 2000 A. Rafanelli Cabernet Sauvignon Terrace Select presents a deep ruby color with an opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. Signs of significant of sediment made obvious by what looks like top soil that catches the side of the glass with every swirl before it settles to the bottom. On the nose, the wine is intense. Vinous. Powerful notes of dark fruit: cassis, blackberries, and black cherry with huge amounts of tobacco, bell pepper, cedar box, leather and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium acid. Everything is well integrated at this point. Alcohol comes across medium+. The texture is absolutely luxurious and the finish goes on for minutes. These are ready to drink yet, they have plenty left in the tank if you’re not in a particular hurry. I just don’t see it giving more down the road from here. Drink now or enjoy through 2030. — 3 years ago

Timothy Lynch

9.0

A stained cork from bottom to top gave me pause. Phew! All good. Dusty notes dominate early on with stewed plumbs and Aussie scrub (underbrush) not far behind. Let’s see where we are in an hour. Sixty minutes on firmly delivers with a weighty 65% Cab Sauv with, dare I say it, a slight nod to Napa. Chewy tannins with continuous dust rounds it all out. I like this wine. As to down the road…I think we’ve arrived au point. — 4 years ago

LM Segal

9.2

Meyer, no doubt, making the best Pinot Noir in 🇨🇦 at every price point. — 5 years ago

Dave Martin

9.2

Finding this at <CDN$11. Great value at this price point. — 6 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

One of the better “Seconds” I’ve ever had and surprisingly open for business right now. Blackberries, tobacco, charred jalapeños. Very primary. After a few hours, this started to recoil a bit which leads me to believe these will shut down at some point and re-emerge with some real strength down the road. Calon-Segur is one of the few properties in Bordeaux that have my attention anymore. They age with some real grace and just win, win, win no matter what. — 7 years ago