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. — 4 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Still youthful showing red & black fruits, cedar, leather, graphite, spice & tobacco — 8 months ago

Bryn and Tanya

9.8

We got vanilla and peach on the nose, with a struck-match edge that added a savory note. It felt delicate for a Chardonnay but very enjoyable. The balance was spot on. — a year ago

Paul H

9.4

When they say bring your A game you can think of this bottle. This is an amazing glass of wine. It benefits from decanting for a good bit. Upon opening I thought of dusty plum and cedar on the nose. Tasting brought plum, currant, blackberries, vintage leather plus an array of other items indicative of this style of big wine. There is a good mix of tannins and acid that makes this a classic great glass of wine. I want to try it again in a few years to see how much better it may get. — 5 years ago

Patrick Hurley

9.3

Delicious. — 6 years ago

Casey Curbow

Sales Associate Windsor Wine Merchants

9.1

A cleanly expression of fruit and oaty lees. — 7 years ago

with Gerald

Eric Burtner-Abt

9.5

Delicate nose with dry red fruit, hint of cedar and mineral. Red currant, dark raspberry or boysenberry, cranberry, light granite mineral, smooth tannin remains but in balance with all other elements. — 8 years ago

Irene Limb

9.8

Bright summery — 9 years ago

paul

8.9

Rich fruit forward. Great taste. — 11 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Classic La Mission nose that is in a perfect spot showing red & black fruits, cedar, leather, earth, graphite, spice box along with sweet tobacco — 5 months ago

Jakub Kalinowski

9.4

Evolved & aromatic
Cedar wood, cigar box and a touch of cassis with some earthy, gravelly undertone.
Evolved and yet very pure. And very enticing.
Beautiful, simply beautiful on the palate. Firm yet polished and ultra fine tannins, juicy acidity, juice creamy black fruit on the mid palate. Elegant with nice depth and great length.
Beautiful juicy austerity. Classic benchmark left bank Bordeaux. And delish!!! — 7 months ago

KA

9.4

Lonesome Dove — 8 months ago

Jason Keefer

9.2

Great blend with literally the kitchen sink of varietals (10!). Haven’t had their more pricy cuvées but if this is any indication, they knock it out of the park! Side note, gorgeous tasting room. @Ryan Colthorp came visit for a wine trip! — 10 months ago

with Natasha

Ron Siegel

9.4

Great vintage for GL that was fresh & drinking beautifully at 41 yrs showing red & black fruit, earth, cedar, leather with sweet, savory spice & cigar box — 2 years ago

Spencer T. Hess

9.4

I remember tasting this wine around 20 years ago & I remember exactly what it tasted like. One of the best wines from Napa for the 98 vintage. Rice a Roni should give David Ramey the Jericho Canyon fruit back to make Cabernet. These Rudd & the Ramey Jerichos are top notch. I just read Pepsi now owns Rice a Roni. — 5 years ago

Gene Buonviri

9.0

Dark cherry red with flavors of raspberry and cherry, followed by hints of pepper and bay leaf. If you have been seeking total calm and satisfaction.... stop looking for it doesn’t exist... however this wine will definitely make you believe you have found it.... great pairing with roasted chicken, asparagus and fresh spring salad. — 6 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Tasted blind. Tawny color, translucent with amber rims. Notes of black cherry, cedar, some spice and a little barnyard floor. Sweet fruit in the mouth, with tannins fully resolved. Guessed 1955 Calon Segur. Perfect looking bottle, the cork revealed this bottle was reconditioned by the Chateau in 2000. — 8 years ago

Palmer Emmitt

Owner/Winemaker Judge Palmer

9.0

Love it as an accompaniment to the variety of Japanese food on the table. Does an elegant lilty dance across the palate with vibrant juicy dark berry and savory minerality. — 8 years ago

Bart Hansen - Dane Cellars

8.9

Straight forward really good Paso Zinfandel — 10 years ago

Kent Waliser

9.7

Enjoying this tonight celebrating 7 years of marriage with Candace and the man who introduced us, Tim Welsh. Just delicious. — 13 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Mostly black fruits, cedar, leather, sweet spices, mocha & tobacco — 6 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.6

Slight younger looking , a little more ruby both in the core but still mostly garnet rim.
This is high toned slightly redder fruit , less dense than the preceding 3 . Cherry , red plum , cedar, seaspray . On the palate this is again quite elegant and refined , cherry , red plum some cassis , red plum , cigar box . Not overly weighty with perhaps a little less noticeable tannin than some of the others . Long vibrant , spicy grafite tinged finish . Very elegant , reserved and I suppose very Lafite , this grows during the experience but was actually voted in last place by the group , that somehow doesn’t surprise me, at the end of the day one wine did have to come last, and this was relatively discreet only showing its real breeding and class with time in the glass. Needs time , but is very promising , probably another 5-10 years (as with almost all the others ) , will last well a further 20 if not more . The elegance and style of this wine is fantastic , this really grows in the glass . Had to be Lafite for me . Bronze medal here . — 7 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Youthful, structured with red & black fruits, currant, cedar, spice & tobacco — 8 months ago

Dave

9.0

Solid Sonoma Cab that tastes like Left Bank Bordeaux. Supple feel, dark berries, cedar, graphite, tobacco. A little eucalyptus and a little espresso. Lengthy tannins. Drinkable now and will age for some time.
Listening to Radiohead — 10 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Light garnet color. Very interesting nose and palate of red fruits, rose petals, dried herbs, black tea, bergamot and sweet baking spices. Hint of eucalyptus on the long, complex and earthy finish. Smooth tannins. Lively, bright and very well balanced. Nice concentration for a light bodied wine. Excellent! — 2 years ago

Kevin C

8.9

Deep rich, cherries, some underlying pepper. Dry, balanced tannins. A keeper, especially at this price. — 5 years ago

Sarah

9.2

Very delicious. Smooth, fruit forward, so freaking good. — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.2

Monthly WTF wine group. Special event this month as Ben provided all ‘80s Napa cabs. A few of us chipped in and provided some whites/bubbly.

Toasted Graham cracker, cassis, and even some old cedar wood. Structure was still in tact and young tasting. — 8 years ago

with Andrew, Will and 4 others

Nicole Ives

9.9

Opened an old one for Mother's Day. It decanted for an hour and it was amazing! — 11 years ago

Michael Thambuswamy

9.3

At Hakkasan — 13 years ago