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. — a day ago

Fabio Franchella

9.2

Superintense in the nose. Torf, rauch, speckig, teerig, leichtenzedernote, viel rückaromen. Nir och dezente dunkelkirschige frucht — 6 months ago

with Xenia

romo

9.2

Put these down and watch the angry tannin melt away. Lighter-bodied right banker. — 8 months ago

Galen Hasler

9.2

Everything — 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

John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

9.0

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

Peter van den Besselaar

9.1

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

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

Atherton Wine Imports 2026 tasting at République, Los Angeles. 2022 vintage. Better, longer finish than the 2021 version. Dark plum and cassis ruling the roost here. 3.18.26. — 4 months ago

Richard Adams

9.3

Very nice balance and in it’s perfect window at age 17. Red fruits punctuated with loamy earth tones, nice acidity and a long finish. — 6 months ago

Amy Yan

9.0

At Eli's UES. — 7 months ago

Becky

9.7

85% merlot / 15 % cab franc — 8 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Merlot dominates this blend but there is some Cabernet Sauvignon and some Cabernet Franc blended in. Medium ruby color with a slight clear meniscus. Fruit forward aromas and flavors of blackberry, black cherry, dark plum, baking spices and cedar. Medium-plus finish. Medium body and very silky tannins. Well balanced/layered acidity and a very silky texture. A bit more austere than a traditional Medoc red blend. At peak. — 9 months ago

Paul K

9.1

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

Stephanie Becker

9.3

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

Ruud Verhagen

9.3

one of the best seconds….👌🏼 — 6 months ago

Ken Southall

9.0

A bit of oak with a long finish. $30 — 7 months ago

Tree Kilpatrick

9.1

Cute label. Color is pretty. Smells of the river rocks and berry compote. Hint of smoke. Flavors are juicy and complex. Plenty of minerals. Balance is great. Floral and fresh. — 8 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.1

2016 vintage. Floral nose. An elegant, fresh medium-bodied Moulis with soft tannin and good length. Fine value. — 9 months ago

Nicolas Duchesneau

9.2

Belle pureté, fruits croquants, framboises, fraise, la finesse, longue finale — 4 years ago