Leoville Barton is one of my favorite St. Julien producers and still one of the best values upon release of Left Bank Bordeaux’s. If my memory is correct, I think this was WS’s wine of the year a few years ago.
I haven’t had this since the release at UGC. It was so fresh then. It has definitely put on weight and showing some nice evolution. But, Anthony made his wines for the ages. This will rise 2-3 points with 20 years bottle age.
It is round and lush. Blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, purple fruits, blueberries, some creamy raspberries & dark cherries. Anise, light graphite, tobacco ash, leather, dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dry river stone, limestone marl, dark spice, dry herbaceous notes, hints of black olive, black licorice, dry stems, mix of dry & candied dark flowers, very nice round acidity and a well; balanced, structured, tensioned and polished finish that last minutes.
Would open this in 2032 and beyond. — 7 months ago
Lovely bottle of 1986 Ducru Beaucalliou. A little smoky and not as long as the last bottle but solid with rib chop, sautéed spinach, mushrooms Diane, and Beef Fat Fries at Hawksmoor NYC. Staff said they were going to decant and then did not. I think it would have opened more had they. Next time: insist. — a month ago
SPEC TA CU LAR! Here you feel the absolute majesty of a wine who can be promoted to at least 2nd growth. Cedar, camphor, eucalyptus, butterscotch/4 spices, yellow curry. I’ve always loved ‘00 in Pauillac has I think it’s the last great of the classic style. Definitely this bottling is a keeper. — 4 months ago
On nose its lots of Blackberries, oak, pine woods, leathery
On palate its so delicious, long finish, soft tannins, medium acidity, its firm and silky smooth.
Lots if fruits, with touch of vanilla, creamy. Incredible complexity. I think this wine is on its peak or another 3 years to develop. Cheers everyone! — a month ago
Dark rubi robe with bricking at the rim. Nose of asphalt, cedar, liquorice and asian spices. Very mineral, medium bodied, complex, good length, very polished tannins. Cork was not perfect and bottle was low shoulder. Still excellent which makes us think pristine bottles might taste even better. Great stuff. — 4 months ago
1989 vintage. Tasted 5.5.23 (9.5), 4.4.23 (6 different btls-avg 9.4) and 12.9.22 (9.6). Above average fill for the age and impressive cork (about 70% saturated). Decanted and tasted over the course of two hours. Threw a decent amount of powdery sed. Medium nose slightly muted for the first 10 minutes or so but then came roaring to life. Yes, still the hallmark blueberries and cocoa powder along with a dash of raspberry but bigg graphite with this bottle. Drank consistently great for 1.75 hours, then seemed to lose a little steam at the very end. Not improving but still think cellar dwellers need to be popped in the next five years to enjoy the magic before it fades. 3.28.24. — 6 months ago
Norman Gennaro
I think I preferred the 2015 but ever so slightly and as much as I struggle to believe glasses make a difference they poured the 2016 in a big cab glass and I think that distracted from the flavors that were evident in the tighter 2015 glass. — a month ago