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

Roberto Carli

9.2

I got the XVIII (18 not 17). Nice! Drank by the glass at a restaurant, I was told it is little known grapes from California, I was expecting a kind of sin massale but I was surprised! Lightly colored, with good floral perfume and bright red food, good acidity and some earthiness that takes it away from pinot land, without any funk — 5 years ago

Andy Hall

9.5

Always strong! Old world nose, robust fruit and balanced acid. — 5 years ago

Claire Bear

9.9

WhAt ThE FUuuuu?!?! Such a good wine! Feel’s like a refreshing Kombucha!! Guilt free bc it feels so healthy and natural and light as air! One of my new faves ever! — 6 years ago

tim heyman

9.0

very good 2001 aged surprisingly well for new world wine — 7 years ago

Katie Rivkin

9.0

Knoxville, TN — 8 years ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Poured into a decanter for about an hour prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2023 RTW CCC pours a deep ruby/purple color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of mixed brambles, purple flowers, Fig Newtons, black pepper, dried green herbs, and silica rich, rocky earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and comes across like laser cut steel. Drink now with patience through 2038. — 4 months ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Reddish in color with light intensity.

Medium bodied with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing raspberries, sweet strawberries, cherish, earth, light wood, spices, dark chocolates, herbs and black pepper.

This 8 year old Pinot Noir from Oregon is drinking very nicely now. Complex and interesting. Feels like a lightly aged Burgundy.

Good right out of the bottle, and gets earthier as it opens. Will continue to drink nicely in the next few years.

I had a few vintages of this wine and it is very consistent.

Elegant and good by itself or with food.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$45. — 9 months ago

Mark Mannebach

9.2

Complex with tones plum cigar and dark chocolate. — 2 years ago

Brendan Baker

9.2

Chamomile, lemon-lime, bright and lean ⚡️ — 5 years ago

LSV

9.0

Light and summery — 6 years ago

John Van Trijp

9.4

World greatest Chardonnay blind tasting — 7 years ago

Michael Piaker

9.0

18 November 2018. The Four Horsemen, Brooklyn, NY. — 7 years ago

Roberto Carli

9.5

Salmon color with copper reflexes. Nose of grapefruit, and Mandarin peel, lemon juice, pink flowers, and petrichor. Faint Aperol on the back. Palate is explosive but not effusive. More grapefruit oil, lemon pith, garrigue, waves of saline minerality and a bright acidity that makes it go on and on. Pretty serious argument on why it deserves its reputation is the best rosé in the world  — 7 months ago

"Odedi"

9.0

Light red in color with light intensity.

Fruity nose of bing cherries, red candy, light wood and chocolates.

Medium-bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with cherries, raspberries, sweet strawberries, light oak, spices, earth, herbs and light green vegetables.

Tangy finish with soft tannins and raspberries.

This 3-year-old Pinot Noir from Oregon is starting to drink nicely now, but still very young. Needs 3 to 5 years in the bottle to mature properly.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 30 minutes.

This Single Vineyard Pinot Noir is showing nice complexity with a soft mouth feel. Elegant, easy drinking and good by itself or with food.

12.9% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$72. — 9 months ago

Andrew

9.2

Fresh and approachable. Berry. — 2 years ago

Michael Greene

9.1

Dark fruit. Meaty. Crazy aromatic. — 5 years ago

Kevin Ortzman

9.5

Dirty old world Bordeaux on the nose. Slightly smoky and barnyard. Palate was deliciously balanced with red primary fruits. With recorking this bottle would have lasted another five to seven years. — 6 years ago

with Frank

Pablo

9.1

Green apples and lime — 7 years ago

Nicky Sampogna

9.9

The tablest of table wines. Natural, fun. — 8 years ago