2000 Chateau Leoville Barton

I found this to be one of the more backward wines of the 2000 vintage and gave it a window of maturity of 2015-2040 when I reviewed it in 2003. In my two recent tastings of it, I changed that window to 2018-2050, which probably says more than the following tasting note could say. This is a behemoth – dense, highly extracted, very tannic, broodingly backward, with a dense purple color and very little evolution since it was bottled 8 years ago. Wonderfully sweet cedar and fruitcake notes are intermixed with hints of creme de cassis, licorice, and earthy forest floor. It is full-bodied and tannic, with everything in place, but like so many wines that come from Leoville Barton, it makes a mockery of many modern-day consumers wanting a wine for immediate gratification. Those who bought it should continue to exercise patience and be proud to own a wonderful classic with five decades of longevity ahead of it. ~ (95) Robert M. Parker Jr., Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 6-28-2010

Hello. Take textbook St.-Julien warmed fig, blueberry compote and blackberry reduction notes along with ample graphite, bramble and tobacco flavors, then dial it up a notch. This has terrific energy to offset the admirable depth and length, and hasn't even started a second phase yet. One of the stars of the vintage. -- Blind 2000 Bordeaux retrospective (December 2015). Best from 2018 through 2033. 20,000 cases made. ~ (96) James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 6-30-2016

This wine has always been soft and delicious, with an almost decadent character of strawberry tart, earth, meat and spices. It’s full and very soft, with refined tannins and a very long finish. ~ (96) James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 4-27-2014

Dark crimson. Very solid and savoury on the nose. Essence of St James's Street?! Lots of mass here and something really very promising even if it is far from its full realisation. Bravo! ~ (18) Jancis Robinson, JancisRobinson.com 3-18-2010

Full medium ruby. Knockout superripe nose combines black cherry, licorice and exotic spices. Compellingly sweet, lush and complete, with harmonious acids giving the wine lovely vinosity and extending the flavors. Finishes with lush, dusty tannins and superb persistence. A great vintage for Leoville-Barton. ~ (94) Stephen Tanzer, Vinous 5-1-2003