Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

This was my Coravin test. It wasn’t ready a number yrs ago. I put it back in the cellar lying on its side. It survived pleasantly. Did not decant.

2004 not the best Bordeaux vintage but there it was in the store reasonably priced. So, I bought this one. Always curious. The 2nd wine from one of my favorite Right Bank producers, Vieux Chateau Certan. 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc.

The nose shows ripe & slightly candied fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, raspberries, mulberries & plum. Beautiful, gentle, dark spices, dark, rich earth with dry leaves, mid to dark colas, steeped black tea, anise to some black licorice, understated graphite/dry tobacco, undertones of baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & just a slight touch of vanillin,dry crushed rocks/limestone-sandstone, moist clay, brilliant red florals, red roses, dark flowers framed in violets.

The palate has M rounded, dry tannins. The fruits are ripe, juicy, ruby/lush & slightly candied; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries & plum. Beautiful, gentle, dark spices w/ heat, dark, rich earth with dry leaves, mid to dark colas, steeped black tea, anise to some black licorice, dark chocolate baking bar to pudding, mocha, understated graphite/dry tobacco, undertones of baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & just a slight touch of vanillin,dry crushed rocks/limestone-sandstone, moist clay, some volcanic minerals, hints of menthol, brilliant red florals, red roses, dark flowers framed in violets, beautiful acidity with a smartly polished, elegant finish that has length, balance & tone that lasts nearly two-minutes.

Moved between 90-92. Ended 92. Enjoyed w/ a medium rare plus Ribcap. Has another 7-10 yrs of road ahead. — 15 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Charles still makes my favorite new world Malbec. Ten years old the better. But, the drink nicely young. Just lush, ruby, rich and elegant on the palate. Blackberries, black raspberries, glorious raspberries, dark cherries, some strawberries. Both light and dark colas/licorice. Dry brush, dark chocolate, rich dark soil, medium baking spices, caramel, some pepper, violets for days, great acidity and a very well balanced, polished finish that lasts minutes. — 3 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Coravined bottle from mid week.

The 2012 is still a little early for me but, drinking beautifully.

The nose reveals; ripe, slightly dried fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dried dark cherries & cranberries, both plums, poached strawberries with some raspberries & blackberries. Radiant, dark spices, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, limestone minerals, dry crushed rocks, dark colas, steeped tea, black & red licorice, moist & drier clay, rich, forest floor with dry leaves, some dry herb, soft, understated eucalyptus, lightly, grilled meats, dry tobacco, well, used leather with ruby, candied, fresh & withering floral that are; dark, red, blue & purple.

The body is medium full, round, lush with dusty, light tannin presence with excellent viscosity. ripe, slightly dried fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dried dark cherries & cranberries, both plums, poached strawberries with some raspberries & blackberries. Radiant, dark spices, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, limestone minerals, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, dry stems, dark, berry colas, steeped tea, black & red licorice, moist & drier clay, dark, rich, forest floor with dry leaves, some dry herb, soft, understated eucalyptus, mint notes, lightly, dark, Asian & Indian spices with heat, grilled meats, dry, used, pipe tobacco, well, used leather with ruby, candied, fresh & withering floral that are; dark, red, blue & purple. The round, lush acidity is like a cool stream in Spring. The long, steady, rich, elegant, well knitted & balanced finish loads as ripe, juicy fruits falling onto to spice & earth persisting several minutes.

Shows all the beauty of the vintage & still has 8-12 years of good drinking ahead.

Cheeses; Jasper Hill Alpha Tolman & Willoughby, Mimolette. Dried Turkish Apricots, Cashews & Columbus Italian Dry Salami. Otherwise, tonight’s dinner.

1/8/21 — 6 years ago

Daniel Arboitte Dos Santos

9.0

Smooth and fragrant.. — 7 years ago

Jean Herndon

8.9

2017 tart, minerality 12.5% $30/Minimo — 7 years ago

Ali

9.3

San Roque, Alfaro. — 8 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. — 22 days ago

Karen Tripson

8.9

Life at the beach with a bottle of bandol — 4 years ago

AJ Gubser

8.9

Nose of black cherry, honeydew, and smoke(?!). Good black cherry fruit on the palate with medium acidity and lots of minerally bitterness. Typical provençal rose structure and weight with a kick of black cherry. — 6 years ago

Tooty Frooty

8.9

Superspritigt dessertvin på plommon drar åt ekig whiskey. Passar bra till comté. Andas inte in när du sippar! Bar la lune, gbg — 6 years ago

Jeff

8.9

Honey and fresh straw with lemon flavors linger in the finish with dusting of the garrigue within the landscape of the Languedoc. — 6 years ago

CG

9.1

Had the orange wine at Emilie's. LOVED IT. — 7 years ago

Michael Piaker

9.3

13 December 2018. Henry's Wine & Spirit, Brooklyn, NY. — 7 years ago

JKT

9.0

Another nice find of an unknown wine to me. Tasty — 8 months ago

David Peifer

9.2

Crisp. Refreshing. A tad bitter with some nice tannins. Light fruit. Very nice — a year ago

Dan Casagrande

9.1

Thanks Tom! — 3 years ago

Craig Becraft

8.9

Nicely acidic with rich flavor of strawberry, cherry fruit perfect complement with braised chicken thighs with poblano peppers — 3 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I had a number of 1997’s of this late. A good wine & value in 97’s courtesy of Clyde Beffa. 2005 such a splendid vintage and still youthful.

Decanted around 11:45a today, poured around 8:30p with an Allen Brothers Ribcap and it is simply velvet in the mouth.

Recent spilt auction purchase with @Paul T- Huntington Beach for $35-$36 a bottle…in OWC. From the same Technical Team as Leoville Las Cases. Different terroir but, excellent experience.

Excellent, ripe candied fruit of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, raspberries, baked strawberries, dark spices, black licorice core, mid & dark colas, river stone, limestone alluvials, dry crushed rocks, dry tobacco, leather, saddle-wood, dark, rich, forest floor with dry leaves, some tree sap, tea leaves, soft, round, fresh herbs, dark, fresh & withering florals that are; dark, red, blue florals framed in violets & lavender. The acidity is excellent. The finish has length, balance, polish for days that falls on excellent soft earthiness.

2007 Bordeaux’s are already following suit as the 97’s in a lot of cases…only better. Value vintages in Bordeaux if you go looking. — 5 years ago

Jason Sliwa

9.5

Loved this so much. Very tannic, but delivered the orange wine experience in full. The winner of the evening for me. — 7 years ago

with Eli and Vicki

John Marriott

8.9

Very nice blend dry but with good flavours. — 7 years ago