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. — 19 hours ago

Mark S.

9.0

Poyfrrre ample aroma. Need to wait for more years Château Léoville Poyferré Collection Personelle Mr Francoise L Vuitton Cuvee Privee 16 @25025, Pieroth,251117 — 8 months ago

GaryWEdwards

9.5

Still youthful and robust. Black cherry and ground forest thingy. Many years left — 3 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.3

2019 vintage. Owned by the Cuvelier family (Léoville-Poyferré). Cabernet Sauvignon (57%), Merlot (33%), Cabernet Franc (5%) and Petit Verdot (5%). Super ripe black fruit with a powerful ripe tannic structure. profound and long. More sensual than most in Saint-Estèphe and another great 2019. Abv. 14%. Highly recommended. — 4 years ago

Willem Booij

9.5

This is a powerful wine, here is a lot of complexity in the bottle. A great structure and a robust mouth filling, the tannins a little softer then the last bottle way back but still firm. Great bottle of wine and some decades ahead, but not this one🤣😋 — 5 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.6

The 2010 Ducru-Beaucaillou has a seriously fine bouquet with plenty of black fruit, cedar and hints of camphor that blossom from the glass. So much vigour and intensity here, yet it remains beautifully delineated and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain, supple tannins. There is a fine bead of acidity, fresh and focused, one of the most pliant Saint-Julien crus in this flight with a supple finish that belies that structure underneath. It reminds me of Léoville Poyferré. Superb. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal. (Neal Martin, Vinous, April 2020)
— 6 years ago

Ericsson

9.4

This Bordeaux is drinking very well. Cheers. — 3 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

vintage 1986 | Brushwood in smell, soft taste, a point — a month ago

John Micklethwaite

9.0

Beautiful wine, decant before hand for the best nose. — 5 months ago

Raun Kupiec

9.1

Day 23, 2025 Whisky Adventure Calendar. Just adding this for completion. Had it several times before, one of my favourite whiskeys. — 6 months ago

Sid Dhar

9.4

Wonderful! Needs 30 mins in the decanter and is delightful after that. Savory, oyster, mushroom notes. Sweet casis and warm bread sweetness with a light finish. Excellent and will age well! — 3 years ago

Luis Arguero (@winefromAtoZ)

9.0

Château Léoville Las Cases ‘La Petite Marquise’ Saint-Julien 2018: Medium-full bodied. Medium-high acidity. Noticeable tannins that mellowed out over time. Deep purple in color. Tasting notes of blackberry, plum, strawberry, cedar & oak. Smooth warm finish. All in all, a rich & delicious Saint-Julien wine however very worthy of additional years of cellaring. Be well wine friends! Cheers 🇫🇷🍷 — 4 years ago

Will Stanley

9.3

Certainly not refined, but this 2005 Ch. Moulin Riche (at the time branded as the second wine of Léoville-Poyferré) is an earthy, gutsy Saint-Julien from a superb vintage that carries its sixteen years of age with aplomb, even from half bottle. Almost no bricking, the colour is a vibrant mid ruby.

Very funky on the nose (a little brett, I think), even with two hours of air, there’s a spicy core of cassis, blackberry, plum, cedar, even cinnamon, which is all contained within a rich palate and a framework full of tannin and energy. The finish is long, vibrant, and mouthwatering. I must say I really respect this wine. I would expect it to continue to age well.
— 5 years ago

Thijs Hendriks

9.3

Late release — a month ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.1

vintage 1986 | 40 y old, beautiful wine with great intensity — a month ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.3

2022 vintage. The smallest estate in Saint-Julien ( 0,85 hectares),founded in 1961 by André Leclerc. André was also the winemaker at Léoville Barton, and he was allowed to make his wine there. Today, wine is made as a hobby by his family and their friends, many of them working for famous Saint-Julien Crus classés. The old vines are mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, with 25% of Merlot. The 2022 is an impressive, classic Saint-Julien. Deep, dark red colour. Cassis, blackberries, and the most subtle touch of oak. Concentrated black fruits, embedded in a structure of ripe tannins, and good acidity. The winemaker of Beychevelle , Philippe Blanc helps out with the blending. A hidden gem ! — 3 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

2015 vintage. I last tasted this 2 years ago, and today it is fully mature, the tannins have softened, and the wine has gained in complexity and elegance. But I don't see this getting any better,so drink asap. Moreover,it sells for a song. From the owners of famous Saint- Julien Léoville Barton ( that is still reasonably priced, check the incredible 2022 Léoville Barton!). — a year ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

1997 vintage. A blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Franc. The most humble of the Domaines Delon stable ( Léoville Las Cases, Clos du Marquis, Nénin) is showing incredibly well at 27 years old. Showing its age more in the nose than in the taste, but actually improving with decanting ( thanks broken cork!). Still good fruit, with refreshing acidity and a good grip of soft tannin. Very good length too. Still worth seeking out from a well-stored bottle. — 4 years ago

Byron Fuller

9.5

Stunning. Decades ahead but drinking beautifully. Tough for me to call as a Margaux and too little experience with Palmer. Reminded me a lot of Poyferré in its exuberance. — 5 years ago

tim heyman

9.1

Very good 2000 cru bourgeois. Aged v. Well. Compared to Leoville Poyferré just slightly less fruit but lot if body. Great buy if you can find it! — 5 years ago