Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days. Consistently enjoyable throughout, but best after several hours of air and through Day 3. The wine pours, a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. No signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with expressive notes of ripe and dried cherry, plums, toasted coconut, fresh dill, cedar chest, and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose however, the fruit is much more tart. The finish is long and tangy. A textbook example of old-school Rioja. Lovely. Drink now with patience and through 2036. — a month ago
A little sweet for my taste but delicious — 9 months ago
The 2004 Léoville Barton is less opulent on the nose than the Langoa but offers a little more refinement and terroir expression. A touch of seaweed develops with time. The palate is fresh on the entry. It is one of the most saline Léoville Barton that gets the saliva flowing. It is classic old-school Anthony Barton with a judicious dab of black pepper and menthol furnishing the finish. Excellent. (Neal Martin, Vinous, June 2024)
— 4 months ago
2021 vintage. Old-school styled, Napa cabbage. The solitary nod to new-school is the medium-heavy body. Focused, dark fruit presence (not as much as Freemark Abbey but not far behind either). Plenty of value to be had here. Grip if you want it. Fruit if you so desire. Obvious balance. Nicely done. First Neal product visit/tasting but it won’t be the last. 1.24.24. — 8 months ago
Just a bit planar — a month ago
Dark red purple. Classic Cabernet nose and palate of cassis and underripe blackberry with oak and very gentle bell pepper undertones. Medium tannins and medium plus-ish acidity. Old school style Napa Cabernet with an excellent balance between fruit and structure. Excellent match for that porterhouse. Drink now through 2032. — 3 months ago
Last night for Turkey Day dinner with my boy. We are still deer hunting. Joshua bagged a deer today. Special day. — 10 months ago
Dave Moench
Dmgcc house wine — a month ago