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 days ago

Dane LaVeane

10

Really good! Drinkable right after opening. Tastes earthy and fancy — 8 months ago

Anne Richardson

9.1

A delightful white wine! Fresh and lively. We enjoyed it on Christmas Eve with Seared scallops & garlic-herb risotto. — 3 years ago

Bojan Pavlovic

9.5

Flows down nicely, fruity, low acidity and was a delicious pairing with a classic lasagna. — 5 years ago

with Mirco

Alvaro Bustillos

9.2

Kentucky YPO Bourbon trip 11/16 — 6 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.1

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

Matt Schwartz

9.3

Rich deep flavors. Caramel, vanilla, burnt sugar, oak and warm spices. — 3 months ago

Stephanie Becker

9.3

Recommended by wine lady at Wegmans for our AppyHour cheese box — 5 months ago

Ken Southall

9.0

A bit of oak with a long finish. $30 — 8 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.2

Medium deep garnet core with slightly wider terracotta rim . Quite exuberant nose , more dark fruits than the Barton , spicy , cedar notes , touch of funk , swimming pool note also . On the palate quite spicy more intense black fruits , cassis , sous bois , coffee , saline , mineral tinged sea spray notes . Balanced acidity and quite rounded but noticeable tannin . Long and denser on the finish than the Barton . Showing well now but can go another 10 years no problem — 2 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.0

Not as complex as I’d like but still good considering the price point. Charred oak, wintery spices, brown sugar. — 6 years ago

Mike Modugno

9.0

Clean with floral notes. — 6 years ago

Cheri Saez

9.5

On Paul Gauguin Cruise — 7 years ago

Austin Blackwell

9.2

Expressive nose with black fruits and leathery notes. Needs a decant but certainly approachable now. Nice firm tannins. — 3 months ago

with Angelina

Michael Younkins

9.3

Red berries on the nose and tongue. Excellent wine. — 5 months ago

with Laurie

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

Stefan Dolhain

9.1

2016 vintage. Floral nose. An elegant, fresh medium-bodied Moulis with soft tannin and good length. Fine value. — 10 months ago

Mike Nelson

9.0

At the vineyard for a tasting with Kathleen, Jay and Josie Barton, Jenny Rhodes. A bit less tannin than the 2020. Bolder than the estate Pinot Noir. — 4 years ago

Oleksandr Sperchun

9.4

Очень приятное свежее шардоне, отлияная кислотность, аромат цитрусы — 6 years ago

Marcelo tanaka

9.4

Great Sauvignon Blanc (2018). Had the whole bottle alone during the COVID-19 lockdown in Peru. — 6 years ago