Bob McDonald

9.3

Very pale crimson - almost transparent. Aromas of red cherry and violets. Like many good Pinots pale in colour but M+ palate Intensity - an elegant wine finishing with fine tannins. Bell Hill produces some of the rarest and most sought after wines in New Zealand. I have visited all the major wine producing areas in New Zealand but I have never been to Canterbury - not far from Christchurch. — 5 days ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.5

Ok hands up...far too young. Bad planning from me 🙌. That being said...what a wine and I'm so glad I have more!!! Concentration and flavour for days...insane levels of concentration. There is also balance and acidity but oh my what a wine! — 3 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Far Niente – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2022 🇺🇸
Napa Valley, California

Overview
An outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon showing remarkable structure and exceptional mouthfeel. Dark-fruited, intense, and beautifully multi-layered, a textbook Far Niente expression crafted with finesse.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, blackberry compote, and plum lead the charge, supported by subtle cocoa, graphite, and warm spice. The layers reveal themselves gradually, each turn more compelling than the last.

Mouthfeel
Polished, concentrated, and silky with balanced tannins. The weight is assertive yet refined, a seamless glide across the palate.

Food Pairings
Perfect with grilled ribeye, slow-braised short ribs, truffle-infused dishes, or aged cheeses.

Verdict
Well made, well structured, and beautifully expressive. This 2022 vintage captures everything one expects from Far Niente: elegance, depth, and a long, confident finish. — 7 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.1

Quite deep ruby slightly narrower rim . This is more closed than any of the previous wines . Quite austere and more mineral , grafite notes . Quite serious on the palate with mineral and dusty cassis , cedar . Good refreshing acidity , slightly dry gritty tannins noticeable . This probably shows the best balance of the 4 so far , all the parts seem better integrated. Dark cassis , cedar and grafite , though not the marine/seashell influence of the 1995. Better length than all the previous wines . This will go further and is probably in the middle of its drinking window, from now and onwards for another 10 years perhaps ? — 3 years ago

Richard Russell

8.9

Really nice cab from discount rack — 4 years ago

Allison Lyzenga

8.9

Staff BBQ; minimal notes, but my ratings are accurate; balanced, enjoyable — 5 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

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. — 9 days ago

Jacqui Hogans

9.2

Another great Cabernet from Far Niente. Full bodied without being flabby. Smooth, not spicy. — 8 months ago

with Dave

Bob McDonald

9.2

Aromas of lemon, lime, mineral and white flowers ( the white flowers from an orange tree) - with a touch of paraffin (TDN). The light to medium bodied palate has intensity. Grown organically in the Polish Hill district of the Clare Valley. Definitely in the top 3 Rieslings in Australia - such purity. — 8 months ago

Rufus King

8.9

Delicious, mildly spicy Australian Shiraz, gift from Far East trip, served with swordfish on Drakes Island — 3 years ago

Fredrik Finn

9.2

Intense and dense but vivid aromas of strawberries, raspberry toffee, bramble, roses, Pronounced savoury and earthy spice character of cinnamon, nutmeg and a sweet vanilla note that brings a balanced complexity.
Palate is dry, medium acidity and Medium fruity tannins, soft and approachable but still it provides a solid framework that guards the palate, well integrated alcohol in a full body with a sweet and ripe, toffee like red fruit, profile that remain its nerve and tension and is far from feeling heavy. A dimensional complexity of vanilla and spice brings nuance a cross the mid palate through a solid finish that falls a tad short from the major league. — 5 years ago

Jeff Orlowski

9.5

Super Bowl vertical. Dry, full bodied. Classic, outstanding Napa Cab from nose to finish. — 5 years ago

with Michael and Joe

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Fragrant aromas of lemon curd, yellow apple, white flowers, wet stones and orange zest. Flavors of lemon, melon, pear, peach and tropical fruits. Light notes of vanilla, saline and subtle oak on the long and vibrant finish. Elevated acidity (but still well balanced) and a soft creamy texture. Bright, clean and crisp with a slight bit of heft. Approachable and refreshing. Outstanding quality! Excellent wine from an excellent producer. Thank you so much for the gift, Keith S! — 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Enjoying this knowing my Cornhuskers already punched their ticket to their first ever Sweet 16 last night in one of the games of the tournament so far.

At this point, it’s a “pick’em” between the Bérêche Brut Réserve and Caillez-Lemaire’s “Éclats” for the title of, “Kline Fam house Champagne”. They just delivery in the way I want/trust/expect and can afford. This is the November 2025 disgorgement. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three hours. The Brut Réserve pours a straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of apple, pineapple, raspberry, lemon curd, brioche, marzipan, and a mix of chalk and limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and laden with minerals. So easy to love. Drink now but you can hold for many years if you want as well. — 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2023 pours a ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with an explosion of smoked blackberry pie, purple flowers, bacon fat, olive, black pepper, and subtle warm spices. On the palate the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose however, the wine finishes much more elegant than the nose would suggest. The bouquet might lead one to think this is possibly over the top. However, on the palate, it was far more elegant. Another vintage, another stunning Gonon. Drink now through 2043. — 7 months ago

Steven Lee

9.3

Crushed rocks and mineral rocks. tannin is resolved and pencil lead and cassis. no vegetal but floral. i just not sure how far is from the latest vintage with those high scores — 2 years ago

Daniel Bloom

9.2

N:Big petrol and varnish nose, caramel, to•bac•oh! A drawer full of secrets this.
P. Unctuous going in, liquid caramel, tree bark, smoky barrel, the sea.
Marvelous stuff from one vineyard ( Marchanudo Alto) rich in chalk, sometime under flor, some static.
18° watch out.
This from the Autumn Saca. — 3 years ago

Aravind A

9.1

Pop and pour, 1hr slow ox. Third btl from a half case. No brett or reduction on this btl, go figure (see previous notes for context). Lovely Cameron mushroomy funk, sandalwood, dark wild strawberry..fantastic purity. My favorite btl so far aromatically. On the palate: very good acidity, nice and savory with some earthy bark notes, maybe thinner than I would like, but very finely grained tannin on the finish. This btl is drinking very well now. — 5 years ago

George Chen

9.6

1929 vintage...bit Stew-y but wow the profile and finish rushed at you but lingers on finish like some exotic elixir from unknown tree...memorable wine for the ages! — 6 years ago