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. — 17 days ago

Steve McDonald

9.2

Rustic, farmer wine. Loved it. — 6 years ago

Kelli Hogan

9.8

Perfect. Effervescent. Honey and apricot notes. Slightly tannic. Color of sweet tea — 6 years ago

with matt

Simone Pizzi

9.3

Excellent wine, the style is minimalist but very focussed. The sensation is that of a natural but elegant wine, some sort of a gentleman farmer style, I love it. The nose starts with some leathery hints and with some air it gets quite fruit forward with an accent on black currant and small red fruits. The mouth shows very youthful with firm tannins and a vibrant acidity. I'll buy again. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Takes its name from the free-spirited gentleman named Bruscone who lived in the woods of the Barbi Estate. Enticing Ruby with sweet red berry aromas and earthy notes. On the palate cherry, licorice and sweet plum showing nicely. Fine tannins, well balanced on lingering finish ending with earthy herb tones. Needs decanting or cellar aging. Very nice! — 7 years ago

Lam S

9.2

Blackberries and venila aroma. Medium body with considerable smooth tannin and bit of acidity. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

23 such a great white vintage. Raise a hand if you prefer White Burgundy over Ca Chardonnay.

I commented on @Jay Kline or @Andrew Cullimore post that I really love this producers style. It is distinctive to me. It’s elegant, lush and plush. Their wines wire to wire have such beauty and elegant consistency

The nose is inviting with lime-skin (inside & out)- pulp, juice, Meyer lemon skin-pulp, kiwi, pineapple, tropical melons, herbaceous, volcanics, mint, deep chalkiness, sea spray, sea fossils, gentle white spice, cream, caramel, sunflowers, white spring flowers & jasmine.

The mouthfeel is round, lush, viscous & somewhat waxy. Lime-skin (inside & out)-pulp, juice, Meyer lemon skin-pulp, kiwi, pineapple, tropical melons, herbaceous notes, toast, volcanics, mint, deep chalky powder, saline, sea fossils, dry twig, soft oak powder, limestone marl, gentle white spice w/ palate heat, cream, caramel, sunflowers, white spring flowers & jasmine, waterfall acidity, well balanced, nicely tensioned /structured, good length and a beautiful, elegant 90 second finish that sets on white spice and minerals.

In 2015, my wife and I spent the morning & afternoon w/ Olivier touring the vineyards, cellar and then had a long lunch tasting 8 of his wines. Absolute gentleman. Always wearing his signature a ferdor hat. — 2 months ago

Kendall Johnson

8.9

Green apple and grass — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

1978 Chuck Hope left beverage job, moved to Paso Robles, became farmer, & top grape grower. Working with his father, Austin led family into winemaking in ‘95, creating his label in 2000. #7 on Top 100 list, Grapes from 5 small blocks of Paso Robles AVAs, aged in 75% new French oak, 18 mos. Dark deep Ruby, aromas of sweet ripe black fruits & dried smoky tobacco spices. Flavors of ripe blackberry, sweet cacao, espresso & vanilla oak. Big wine, fine tannins, long fruit finish, vanilla overwhelms fruit. The 15% ABV has slight burn. — 5 years ago

Severn G

9.3

Nose has mashed blackberry, ripe black current, ripe black cherry, wet saddle leather, horse barn, dried mint, fried green herbs, chopped bacon, muddy garden soil, constantly developing...

Palate has mahogany shavings, black cherry 🍒, dried garden soil, day old bacon bacon 🥓, over-ripe black currant, warm dark chocolate, (minor) baking spice with a very long and intense finish. This wine has at least a decade in front of it tonight. Perfect, supple cork on extraction.

Still quite tannic, decanted 4h, needs much more time to reveal it's true self.

My retailer commented this was not a standard CA Cabernet, more Bordeaux-like, and he was fully on point. The stink on the nose really pointed us away from CA right away.

Paired to some expertly grilled, medium-rare Delmonico steaks from my favorite, local farmer in Columbia Co. NY (Kinderhook Farm), well salted (in advance). Finished with Maldon smoked sea salt, best which exists in the world, IMHO. Also roasted beets with goat feta from VT, where I can only image goats listen to Phish and eat Ben & Jerry's ice cream daily, because only a stress free life like that could yield cheese this good.

I'd like to know the blend on this, should anyone know, I can't believe it's 100% Cab based on the stinky nose, which we appreciate. — 6 years ago

Cedric Bernardeau

9.1

Digging this organic Tempranillo — 7 years ago

Mark Weber

9.3

Nice flavor — 8 years ago

Samuel Sabori

9.1

Drank with a farmer in Kenya, his eyes lit up. We are talking smallholder value. Perfect bottle for the moment. — a year ago

K Brooks

8.9

Quite nice with Farmer John baked ham ($20) — 3 years ago

David Koenen

9.2

Roasted paprika, salmiac, drying tannins, figs, broth, cigar, sweet rhubarb, stewed pears, juniper. Printing, ink. Clay, blackberries. An old gentleman. — 4 years ago

JKT

9.3

Simply delicious Burg! Light colored. Intriguing and attractive nose of forest floor red berries and an interesting mysterious note of woodsy perfume of some kind carrying through to a liveliness and dancing texture. More pure pleasure than the complexity and depth folks chase after. Excellent finish to cap it off. Hard to find. Hopefully another bottle left. Yum. What a GL 29 buy back then! A traditionally made wine, 50 barrels with no sulfur. Gardener than farmer as DR says! — 5 years ago

Kyle VanDevender

9.2

there’s a campfire under the stars on a perfect evening and everyone is in an individual clawfoot tub bubble bath. you’re drinking this wine. ✨ — 6 years ago

with Simon

Billy L.

9.5

Thanksgiving & Weekend Wines...
Magnum. Great wine! Kudos Owner/Farmer Bruce Phillips & Winemaker Françoise Peschon. Cheers 🍇🍷👍🏻👏🏻 — 7 years ago

christopher coulter

9.0

13.99 farmer Joe's — 7 years ago

Alex Hill

9.0

Smooth, good flavor. — 8 years ago