Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

I recently had a conversation with a few Joseph Phelps Ambassador’s at Pebble Beach Food & Wine in April. I said, I had every vintage of Insignia back to 2006 in storage. They said, “you should really drink up the 2006.” So, I coravined an 06 last weekend, a taste. I agreed then. But tonight not the case, it shows it still has a fair amount of life. Another 5-8 yrs and perhaps plus.

My Ribcap, a definition of Medium Rare Plus.

The nose reveals floral; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, poached strawberries, dark cherries and blue fruit notes. Melted dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, softly layered baking spices, very underrated graphite, steeped tea, mid berry cola, red licorice, limestone powder, dry top soil, dry twig, red, dark candied to slightly withering florals w/ liquid violet cola.

The palate shows well resolved, rounded, velvety M+ tannins. Nicely ripe fruits that are floral; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, poached strawberries, dark cherries and blue fruit notes. Melted dark chocolate, mocha, caramel river, softly layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick & vanillin, warm caramel, dark Asian spices with palate burrowing heat, dry tobacco/ leather, cedar, grilled meats, very underrated graphite, sweet tarriness, black licorice, steeped tea, mid berry cola, red licorice, limestone powder, dry top soil, dry twig, red, dark candied to slightly withering florals w/ liquid violet cola, candied to withering; dark, red, blue florals wrapped in liquid violets, epic rainfall acidity, well balanced-structured-toned, elegant finish that lasts minutes and falls on earth & heated spice.

95-96 peaking. — 16 days ago

Tommy

8.9

Plumb and allspice. What a good finish! — 6 months ago

John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

9.1

Nice vintage of this. — 7 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.4

Ricky mora — 10 months ago

David MacMillan

9.7

Ridiculous wine. Blue cheese, velvet tannins with the mildest chalk level, tiny amount of menthol and cherry, that made it perfect. Great wine for Todd’s leaving shindig — 6 years ago

with Robert and Mike

Johan Bogaert

9.2

Like always a true gentleman, somewhat lean but very sophisticated. Silky wine with fruit preserved. Very little signs of evolution. Very aristocratic but lacks some flesh. Still very enjoyable. — 8 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. — a month ago

Chris Palmer

9.4

Was in the Chairman’s Select collection at our PA state store for $19.99. Delightful. — 8 months ago

Arleigh

9.0

Fruity, not heavy or too sweet — 5 years ago

Todd Stone

8.9

Very pale salmon color, little bouquet when cold, very light in the mouth, a touch sweet but also some dryness there. Low alcohol so no bite. Some strawberry, maybe green apple. Pretty good but too light for me- — 6 years ago

with Peggy

Justin Hart

9.5

This 2012 BDX blend could easily go another 7 years. It is still bound up (aeration required) and seething with intense blackberries, black currant and firm tannins. After mild aeration, the darker fruit gives way to a little bit of ripe cherry, tobacco and some faint but of vanilla. After heavy aeration, the vanilla comes out more noticeably on the nose, dominating everything else basically, with a hint of cherry at the end. On the palette the jamminess starts to show through, with ripe cherry and red plum overshadowing the tobacco and finishing with a strong white pepper note. — 7 years ago

with Cherish and Jen

Paul Rollett

9.0

Earthy and tons of red berry goodness. Classic pencil eraser on the nose, great Gamay! — 8 years ago

Kyle Katterjohn

9.4

Doing an Alaskan cruise@w Regent I get 2 bottles a day and have really enjoued@it@ Will@repeat — 3 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Deep Ruby color with aromas of black fruits, cedar, citrus, herbs and floral spice. On the palate flavors of cherry and strawberry with cola, floral and sweet cinnamon herb spice notes. Full-bodied, fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit, slight oak, herbs and a savory earthy mineral character. Nice! Decant! — 5 months ago

Tooty Frooty

9.3

Yummy! (Lufta gärna!)
Edit: till o med godare dagen efter. #caves — 7 months ago

Diana Gifford

9.0

This was lovely addition to pizza! — 7 months ago

with Melany

Patrick Peters

9.2

Dry, good acidity which is a little unusual for a Riesling. Good weight, bright color, this wine is delicious! — 6 years ago

with Sarah

Lynn Derbyshire

9.0

Delicious w/ grilled pork chops and roasted cauliflower. Smooth, with a hint of sweetness, I want more! 3/13/20 at home w/ Chas — 6 years ago

Stuart Rasley

9.4

Omg. Past it’s prime but so good nonetheless. — 7 years ago

with Rick and Lisa

Craig Stanfield

9.5

Too young, but hey, that’s why I bought a few. So I could try over time. On opening, it’s quite saline with high acid. It’s refined with blue and red fruit. After a few hours, it starts to integrate more. Can’t wait to taste it on day 2. — 8 years ago