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. — 2 days ago

romo

9.5

It’s nice to be born just inside of a great vintage across Europe. Sound and fim, still. at Laurelhurst — 2 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.0

Actually deeper colour than the 1962 and 1959 . Slightly more medicinal nose , touch of swimming pool , lightly herbal with some dried fruit . On the palate this has a drier profile , darker dried fruit , slightly astringent acidity and quite gritty , rustic tannins . Slightly dry on the mid palate , but good earthy tobacco notes . Quite dense and robust , showing good backbone and body . Reasonable length , with earthy , gritty finish . Quite dense and structured. Not elegant but quite impressive for a 76 year old wine . Now and over the next 5 or more years , though obviously won’t improve. — 3 months ago

Anil Saxena

9.1

Excellent Bordeaux. Truly superb — 3 months ago

Yoly Sardinas

9.1

At Frenchies ., 2016 is really good, well balanced and smooth. — 3 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.3

2022 vintage. A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot. One of the rare unclassified Saint-Julien estates, owned by the Meffre family, that started in 1961 with a small vineyard that was part of Saint-Pierre, and was gradually expanded with parcels bought from Lagrange. The quality is on the rise here, and the Meffre family believes this is the best wine the estate has ever produced. Ripe black fruit,a fresh floral note, and very subtle oak. There is a little heat from the high alcohol (15% abv.), but there is fresh acidity to keep the balance, and that prevents the wine from getting jammy. Solid smooth tannic structure and serious length. An estate to watch. — 4 days ago

Paul K

9.1

Love the style just a few elements poking out that break up the harmony. — a month ago

Thijs Hendriks

9.3

Late release — a month ago

ESF

9.1

app couldn't process my wine: Espirit de Gloria, what I believe to be the second wine of Chateau Gloria. it was delightful, restrained, classic Left Bank profile, well balanced, composed and utterly delicious w/fairly approachable price point — 2 months ago

Michael Dierberg

9.6

Might have guessed it was Californian but captivating aromatics and great concentration without being over the top. — 3 months ago

with JiaMin

Stefan Dolhain

9.2

2025 vintage (primeur). — 3 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.2

2022 vintage. More red than black fruit initially. Like many 2022s, it is very smooth and accessible, after an hour the cassis and spices are showing up. I was surprised to learn that there is a bit more Cabernet Sauvignon (56%) than Merlot in the blend, as I think I would have believed it to be right bank in a blind tasting. In any case a very attractive, delicious wine. Good value too. Abv. 13%. — 3 months ago

John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

9.0

@"Odedi" said it well. Nice. — a month ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.2

2024 vintage ( just before bottling). — 3 months 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

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

Brian Flood

9.1

2010. opened a little early…
. lots of life left. — 3 months ago

John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

8.9

A little rough but good. @Lyle Fass bored ooh — 3 months ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.6

One of my favorite wines we get almost nothing of. Pure class in 23. Gorgeous, floral aromas, black cherry, hint of reduction, limestone galore. The palate is young but with extraordinary fruit. Pure. Zero hard edges and really energetic. Acid is on point. Such sweet fruit developing with air. So sappy and dense. Unreal. Wow. Nose now confectionary blackberry and black raspberry. Fun Dip powders. And the stick kind of. Palate gets elegant with such fruit authority. Unbelievably delicious. But has a decade plus and will benefit greatly. — 4 months ago