Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

From the Far Niente winery, blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 1% Malbec & 1% Petit Verdot. Deep Ruby red color with aromas of dark berry fruits with floral spice and oaky notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry jam and red plum with licorice, vanilla, leather and espresso. Tannins are fine, a bit chalky and tight, long finish ending with fruit, toasty cedar and earthy spice. Enjoyable now but a few years will reward. Pair this with a T-bone with a horseradish peppercorn sauce. — 3 months ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.5

Ok hands up...far too young. Bad planning from me 🙌. That being said...what a wine and I'm so glad I have more!!! Concentration and flavour for days...insane levels of concentration. There is also balance and acidity but oh my what a wine! — 7 months ago

Arecibo Message

8.9

Been hanging on to this for 12 years; yikes. From Jason at Solano Cellars. At La Posta in Santa Cruz. Not quite past it yet! But waiting for the character. Tight on nose, not too past it lacking perspective so far. — a year ago

Steven Lee

9.3

Crushed rocks and mineral rocks. tannin is resolved and pencil lead and cassis. no vegetal but floral. i just not sure how far is from the latest vintage with those high scores — 3 years ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.1

Quite deep ruby slightly narrower rim . This is more closed than any of the previous wines . Quite austere and more mineral , grafite notes . Quite serious on the palate with mineral and dusty cassis , cedar . Good refreshing acidity , slightly dry gritty tannins noticeable . This probably shows the best balance of the 4 so far , all the parts seem better integrated. Dark cassis , cedar and grafite , though not the marine/seashell influence of the 1995. Better length than all the previous wines . This will go further and is probably in the middle of its drinking window, from now and onwards for another 10 years perhaps ? — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

The first of my small tranche of 2019 Cuvée Reservée’s and I figured it would be fun to share with the Tasting Group. Popped and poured and presented double-blind. The wine pours a translucent, deep ruby with magenta rim, near opaque core, medium+ viscosity. On the nose, the wine was clean with macerated raspberry, cranberry, and pomegranate fruits. There were purple flowers, some black pepper and rocky minerality along with a slightly gamey note which was quite charming. Both the fruit and non-fruit characteristics were confirmed on the palate. The wine finishes dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. There’s a compelling sense of power and energy in this wine. Everyone was in the Rhône but most were in the North; from Saint Joseph to Cornas, citing that they believed this was Syrah. However, two in the group called Châteauneuf du Pape and one actually called producer (!!) but missed on vintage (2016). Universally, the wine was fawned over and the dude who called Pagaü thought he actually favored the 2019 over the 2016 he had a while back. While I’m not sure I would go that far, the 2019 is truly quite stunning already and seems to have the guts to see a very long and wonderful life ahead. These are currently enjoying their customary early drinking window however, that window will likely close within a year or so and then I could see this shutting down pretty hard until 2025 — 4 years ago

Allison Lyzenga

8.9

Staff BBQ; minimal notes, but my ratings are accurate; balanced, enjoyable — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Very pale crimson - almost transparent. Aromas of red cherry and violets. Like many good Pinots pale in colour but M+ palate Intensity - an elegant wine finishing with fine tannins. Bell Hill produces some of the rarest and most sought after wines in New Zealand. I have visited all the major wine producing areas in New Zealand but I have never been to Canterbury - not far from Christchurch. — 3 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Fragrant aromas of lemon curd, yellow apple, white flowers, wet stones and orange zest. Flavors of lemon, melon, pear, peach and tropical fruits. Light notes of vanilla, saline and subtle oak on the long and vibrant finish. Elevated acidity (but still well balanced) and a soft creamy texture. Bright, clean and crisp with a slight bit of heft. Approachable and refreshing. Outstanding quality! Excellent wine from an excellent producer. Thank you so much for the gift, Keith S! — 7 months ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.4

This is such a special Savigny. Stunning nose of dark flowers, dark cherry fruit, gorgeous clear earth and loads of violets. I love the darker fruit profile of this wine. The nose is so fragrant. Just layered and complex but so floral. 9.6 nose. I said what I said. Palate is gorgeous but needs to catch up to the nose which it will and always does. Tannic but sweet, long and lingering and great freshness and the classic darker fruit profile that Buffet always gets from this site. Really fresh and full of energy but man oh man does this need air. Most backwards so far of all the 23 Buffets. I’ll be back. This needed 36 hours or so to come around. It’s elegant, serious and stunning but needs 20 years. 9.3 to 9.4. — a year ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.4

Label was gone so you'll all just have to believe me that this was a Cheval blanc 🤣. Very far along with leather, mushroom and forest floor flavours. Great wine from a poor vintage — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Sourced from 5 parcels spread throughout 95 acres. Vines date back as far as 1962 and soils are primarily clay and limestone. Dark Ruby color with aromas of red fruits and gentle spice. On the palate flavors of cherry and raspberry with herb and peppery spice. Fine tannins, medium+ finish, well balanced, ending with fruit and mineral character. — 3 years ago

Rufus King

8.9

Delicious, mildly spicy Australian Shiraz, gift from Far East trip, served with swordfish on Drakes Island — 3 years ago

Anthony Pro

8.9

Overrated. I’ll go as far as to say all Napa wine is overpriced these days.

Like… it’s good. But really, I can buy a better Italian wine for half the price.

These days, the best American wine is coming from Oregon, not California. Don’t @ me. — 5 years ago

Aravind A

9.1

Pop and pour, 1hr slow ox. Third btl from a half case. No brett or reduction on this btl, go figure (see previous notes for context). Lovely Cameron mushroomy funk, sandalwood, dark wild strawberry..fantastic purity. My favorite btl so far aromatically. On the palate: very good acidity, nice and savory with some earthy bark notes, maybe thinner than I would like, but very finely grained tannin on the finish. This btl is drinking very well now. — 5 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. — 4 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

This is a producer I have not had for a while. Sofia and I have attended a couple dinners there in the past. They prepared nice menus and created an even nicer presentation in their cellar.

I bought this because I hadn’t had it in a longtime. Also, I do like 21 vintage quite a lot. It was smartly priced enough to bring back some memories and check on their current craft.

Hour and half decent before detailing my notes.

The nose has beautiful ruby, candied lavender & violets. It does show a bit of hot alcohol. Probably flushes out in time. Dark currants, ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, boysenberries, both plums, dark cherries, raspberries and just a whiff of blueberries. Dark chocolate, cedar, fresh & dry tobacco, anise that runs into black licorice with some mid berry cola that wraps it, clove, nutmeg, ground cinnamon to stick, soft vanillin, sweet, dark turned earth with fresh, slightly candied, dark, red flowers wrapped in lavender & violets.

The palate presents a slight alcoholic tongue burn. The M-M+ tannins are round and fairly soft at this stage. The fruits are beautifully ripe; dark currants, ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, boysenberries, both plums, dark cherries, raspberries and just a hint of blueberries. It’s kind of lean and not very complex. Especially, for a 21. Dry cedar & dark spices w/ heat burro into your tongue. Dark chocolate, fresh tobacco, anise that runs into black licorice with some mid berry cola, delicate clove, nutmeg, ground cinnamon to stick, soft vanillin, sweet, dark turned earth, w/ slightly dry leaves, dry crushed rocks/limestone, grey volcanic minerals, dry river-stones with fresh, slightly candied, dark, red flowers wrapped in liquid lavender & violets, beautiful acidity with an elegant, ripe, well balanced, softly tensioned finish that lasts a minute falling onto nice, dry earth, spice with bright fruit overtones.

While you should let this one better integrate for another 3 years or so, I don’t think this bottling is a long cellar vintage for them. Thinking it has a window of another 10-15 years. Maybe, 1 or 2 more w/ excellent storage. Likely will add a point w/ the right age.

A decent Napa Cabernet, but underwhelms given the vintage and other 21 offerings I’ve had from Napa producers.

14.5% ABV seems 15.5% at this point.

I’m sure many of you have noticed the wrong grape varietals on the wrong tabs for some time now. Have you noticed that Delectable hasn’t published new weekly tasting notes for two weeks? Is there anyone still working for the app? Will anyone still be able to read our posts tomorrow or the next days going forward? 🤔 Good thing I have been double posting on CellarTracker for awhile now. — 2 years ago

Jakub Kalinowski

9.4

A timeless gem that escapes boundaries. Poised, elegant, unconventional.
The nose is somewhere between a fino sherry, a v. light Vernatsch and southern Rhône white. Nutty, salty with dried strawberries, hibiscus, but also some sharp lemon freshness. A meditation wine - changing, evolving, enticing.
Silky & a bit creamy on the palate, with a touch of tannins, sharp, salty acidity, almost fruitless - and yet with such depth, precision & presence. This is as far from the avg. rosé as it gets. A mind boggling, delicious, slightly funky, grand wine. Amazing.
And at 13y - a baby. — 3 years ago

Fredrik Finn

9.2

Intense and dense but vivid aromas of strawberries, raspberry toffee, bramble, roses, Pronounced savoury and earthy spice character of cinnamon, nutmeg and a sweet vanilla note that brings a balanced complexity.
Palate is dry, medium acidity and Medium fruity tannins, soft and approachable but still it provides a solid framework that guards the palate, well integrated alcohol in a full body with a sweet and ripe, toffee like red fruit, profile that remain its nerve and tension and is far from feeling heavy. A dimensional complexity of vanilla and spice brings nuance a cross the mid palate through a solid finish that falls a tad short from the major league. — 5 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

This is a delicious sweet wine from Napa Valley.

Deep gold in color.

Showing Sweet tangerines, apricots, peaches, spices and tropical fruits.

Full bodied with high acidity. Sweet on the palate with nice complexity.

Would be nice to revisit it in 5 years and see how it evolves.

A very tasty dessert wine. Rich and extracted. Delicious.

A blend of 89% Semillon and 11% Sauvignon Blanc.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$85 (375ml) — 5 years ago