
The final bottle for our annual Valentine’s Day and carbonara tradition (this time one day early). We skipped last year as my wife was pregnant, nice to be back. Very good, but definitely in an advanced stage - the nuttiness really comes through. There is still great acid, lemon curd, crispness, soft bubbles.
After the full case, I’d say the ones from 2021-2023 were the best.
On to Krug 2004 next year!! — 6 months ago
Opened after Xmas lunch as we needed a follow up to the Black Shiraz. Did not disappoint. Mature and soft with all the lovely spice and dark fruit of the basket pressed. Lovely. — 8 months ago
Sold Caymus as a wholesaler in the late 90’s finishing up a grad degree at UofWisconsin-Madison. Invested in a case of the stellar 94 vintage. Still on its game. — 5 years ago
Last and best bottle of the 12-case. Aromatically insane - licorice, roses, Rutherford dust - ahead of a fully resolved, velvety palate of saddle leather, dark chocolate, dark red and purple fruit and completely melted tannins. 60 second tail (or more). As previously noted, more than acceptable bottle variation in the case, but this gem was worth it all... — 6 years ago
This was the last bottle from a case I bought in about 1997. Over the 29 years since the wine was made, the noteworthy tar and tobacco notes that Pontet Canet is known for softened to an ashy-ness that is a softer version of a Mouton Rothschild. Still plenty of life left in this outstanding vintage, but the wine won't improve much (if at all) from this point. I enjoyed this bottle with Lucas Comfort, a day after his 29th birthday (1990). — 7 years ago
Nice full bodied pinot. Very reminiscent of sea smoke and belle glos. Loved it. — 8 years ago
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
Great Grenache from France. Rhône style red that comes through. The grape is the queen in this wine. Soft but with true flavor of the varietal. Blend of old and new vintage. Glad that I bought this. I am having it with an excellent vegetarian pizza and is wonderful. — 4 years ago
Light almost effervescent when poured — 6 years ago
Tart, funky, refreshing, delicious — 7 years ago
My favourite Pet Nat to date !! But what would I expect from BK Wines ... nose could almost be Apple strudel with custard ... crunch apple . Quite big bubbles , but long and very good — 8 years ago
Good. Expensive for what it is — 2 months ago
98, 96, 09, 05 pegosos - in order of pref — 4 months ago
This bottle was opened several hours prior to dinner. The 2001 Riserva pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe Morello cherry, red flowers, leather, black tea, and a lovely mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, slightly savory and super complex. A textbook Brunello Riserva that leans on the more elegant side of the spectrum. A fabulous pairing with lombo di agnello. Drink now with patience through 2041. — 8 months ago
Last bottle of a case bought in 2010 — 4 years ago
This Pichon-Baron was in the earliest peak of its window, pure ✏️ and graphite cigar box nose, rich, intense, leading cassis, tar and a mineral and wonderfully tannic trip over the palate and a long, 40 second finish that was reminiscent dry red clay. Good news: I have 11 more in the case I cracked last night. Bad news: I’ll be in my 60’s before these open up and the secondary stuff really starts to show. — 6 years ago
Super Shiraz, lively flavors — 6 years ago
Full Strawberry nose with white pepper. Taste juicy red berry front settles down to a wash blueberry. Then at back of mouth intensity starts with flavour of roasted red peppers done over oak coals and finish cleanse of eucalyptus.🍷 — 7 years ago
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego
2012 vintage. Last tasted (and bought) 9.6.23 (9.4). Nothing has changed within that note from that day. Picked up a case then. Picking up a case now. 6.24.26. — 2 months ago