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

James Brenner

9.7

Happy New Year! JG says coffee and caramel. JB says butterscotch. Drink now or hold for...ever? — 6 years ago

Carla D

9.5

Best ever Blackboard!!! Fragrant nose with dark berries on the palette; nothing you’d expect at this price point. A relatively full-bodied wine with a hint of chocolate says it all. — 7 years ago

Sean Conk

9.4

Nothing says Memorial Day like a magnum of California Cab — 8 years ago

Mark Saylor

9.2

As my friend says, this has a barnyard funk... which I peraonally love. I would describe as earthy tones. I do not know much about French wine... but this was great. — 8 years ago

Rich Janson

9.2

Booker says the 13s are drinking beautifully right now, so I figured what the hell! Definitely a little young, but super tasty. — 9 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Sweet black fruits - plums. Only medium weight - restrained. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot. 2012 was a cooler more moderate growing season, more claret style says Sam Middleton. This is not one of the great Quintets IMO. At its best Quintets is one of the best Cabernet blends in Australia. It still reinforces the fact that the Yarra Valley is one of the better terroirs for Bordeaux blends in Australia. Not for long cellaring. This is first of 3 of the 2012 vintage I have in my cellar. — 4 months ago

Bruce Leboff

9.3

Boom. Huge and muscular. WS says past it’s window - but not to me! Nose of blackberry and slight secondary herbal notes Polished and smooth - with a huge Cali Cab sweetness but not overdone. Excellent way to end the year. !! — 5 years ago

with Danielle and David

Nicola

9.5

Bear says: Fruity and bright, backed up by a solid savoury structure. Not super heavy tannic, but complex and interesting and happy. Not shy. — 5 years ago

Kimberly Anderson

9.3

Jesus says this is the bomb. Tar and rose petals on the nose. Red fruit, bit of tobacco and graphite round it out. — 7 years ago

with Gregory, Chad and 1 other

Ryan Vachon

9.2

2015, raspberry chocolate torte sprinkled with cocoa. Unbelievable value for $18. Not overly complex yet layered in balance. Berry forward with heavy slate. Mild tannins and as Anna says, swourt — 8 years ago

Emilie Reas

9.0

Just wow. Vanilla, caramel and... sweet cream?? Though oaky and not sweet, the richness is suggestive of a dessert wine. The name says it all. — 8 years ago

Larry Redding

9.0

Just like it says. Smooth as silk. A little dry and very flavorful. — 9 years ago

JKT

9.1

First taste!? Mature with a bit of bricking but still nice solid color and bouquet of mature red fruits and earth. Velvety and enticing on palate. Excellent with Evan’s Shanghainese pork belly. 51/43/4/2 Merlot/Cab/CabFranc/Petit Verdot on label from Bernard Magrez touting same attention as his Pape Clement, and long history dating back to 1120. Importer label says 37/55/6/2 instead! (Oldest in Medoc, 1400 by house of Foix loyal to King of England. 1486 Camet new owner. 1500s by Michel de Montaigne.) — 2 years ago

Susan Shock

9.2

Nina recommended this bottle to me. The label says dark and jammy with toasty vanilla notes, and I can actually taste all of that. I think I can also taste or smell the bourbon whiskey barrels that it is aged in. Very fruity and delicious but a little sweet for my tastes.  — 4 years ago

Marco Rodriguez

9.0

WS says value buy, and it’s on the money. Nice red fruit and floral upfront. Medium body with silky finish. $13-$14 price makes this Pinot an everyday wine. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Had this Margaret River icon on Christmas Eve with a nice grass fed Rib Fillet. A dusty blackberry nose. Not as herbal as the usual Moss Wood Cabernet. Full bodied from a good year with a long long future. Huon Hooke says to 2040. More reminiscent of a Cabernet from the eastern states in flavour profile. My first of 6. Should have the next in 4 or 5 years. — 6 years ago

Ken Venezio

9.0

Who says you have to pay top dollar for a good wine. This wine always delivers and it's easy to find for under $15. Michele Chiarlo has some quality product that won't break the bank. Market to table and you won't regret it. — 8 years ago

Justin Rose

9.2

Strong aromas of baking spices, caramel, currant and back strap molalass. Good balance that builds. Soft firm supple tannins. Paul says BOOBS. I agree. Aubrey thought it was a cab. Enough said. — 8 years ago

Amy Rehagen

9.2

Funky, blood orange, and saline. . . Tart watermelon says the bf. — 9 years ago

with Ryrie