Toronto Wine Cru - WineSpectator Off-Line Event - Leoville Vertical

Thanks for organizing a great evening, VinC. A Leoville vertical was a great idea.

The venue was perfect. A nice square table in an alcove so that we were all able to talk. And the cuisine was (as usual when organized by VinC) fine.

The company was equally fine. Pleased to host and meet you, Parcival. And to meet Rick (Guest 1) and see Anthony (Guest 2) again. Also great to see Machine, On The Wine, Rob and VinC again. We missed VinT (who I especially thank for contributing the 2004) and TheWeb.

1989, 1996 and 1998 Leoville Barton

WOTF was the 1996

• 1989 Château Léoville Barton 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  1989 Leoville Barton
  Nose - Nice, Open. Evolved and improved in the glass.
  Palette - As above, abit of tannin
  Less substance and interest than the nose.
  The wine declined towards the end of the evening.
  93.

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• 1996 Château Léoville Barton 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  1996 Leoville Barton
  Abit more substance to this wine than the 1989 or 1998.
  Nose - abit of animal or funk. Beyond this, the nose was not as open or evolved as the 1989. But openned up by the end of the night, to a really nice nose. Palette - more tannic than the 1989. So this wine needs atleast 5 years more in bottle. 93 or 94.
  Wine of the 89, 96, 98 Flight

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• 1998 Château Léoville Barton 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  1998 Leoville Barton
  Nose - Younger than the 89 or 96. And still reserved by the end of the night.
  Palette - As above.
  92

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1999, 2000, 2001 and 2004 Leoville Barton

WOTF and WOTN was the 1999

• 1999 Château Léoville Barton 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  1999 Leoville Barton
  Nose - Nice, with abit of tannin. Still really nice by the end of the night. 1994.
  Palette - Abit more tannic than the nose. But otherwise similar notes. And nice, right to the end of the night. 93.
  I'd say a 94 overall. WOTN.

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• 2000 Château Léoville Barton 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  Opened bottle for 2 hours and decant for 2 hours.
  Nose - somewhat reserved. Not as nice as the 1999 or 2004. Stayed relatively closed to the end of the night. 91.
  Palette - Abit more open than the nose, but still much more closed than the 99. The palette remained closed right to the end of the evening. This bottle needs some serious cellar time. 92.
  Overall, a 92.

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• 2001 Château Léoville Barton 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  2001 Leoville Barton
  Nose - Abit tannic. 92
  Palette - Also abit tannic. 92
  While this wine improved in the glass abit, it is still not nearly as good as the 1999.
  Overall, a 92.

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• 2004 Château Léoville Barton 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  2004 Leoville Barton
  Nose - Closer to the 1999 nose, but abit more tannic initially. 92 or 93.
  Palette - Alot more open than I expected. And drank nicely to the end of the evening. 92 or 93.
  Overall, I'd give this a 93.

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1997 and 2001 Leoville Las Cas

1997 was the WOTF

• 1997 Château Léoville Las Cases 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  1997 Leoville Las Cases
  Nose - Very tannic.
  Palette - More approachable than the nose.
  Still, an obviously fine wine that just needs more time in the cellar (at least 5 more years). This is typical of Las Cases.
  92 now, 94 in 5 years

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• 2001 Château Léoville Las Cases 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  2001 Leoville Las Cases
  A very differeny palette. Very different.
  The group pegged this as a saline or sea taste. TCA?
  This flaw blew off by the end of the night.

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I really came to understand Leoville through this tasting. All the Bartons had noticeable similarities. Generally agree with VinC on tasting notes. The 1996 was the wine of the 1st flight; the 89 also showed well and the 1998 will, in afew years. The 1999 was the wine of the 2nd flight, although interestingly the 2004 was showing well and was a close match to the 1999. My 2000 did not show well, despite 2 hours open bottle and 2 hours decant. These 2000's are just closed down now; a good 5 years, more likely 10 are needed. Best to keep them in the cellar. The 2001 also showed well, though could still use some time.

The Las Cases were also nice; 97 showed well now. The 2001 showed initial taint, which eventually blew off, turning into a nice wine. My (and I believe Parcivals) WOTN was the 1999 Leoville Barton.

I should not forget the champs and stickies. Very generous of Anthony, OTW, RobS and VinC to pitch in there. I particularly liked VinC's Raymond Lafon. I will need to stock up on champs and stickies, so I can better contribute next time.

Parcival complimented us the number of offlines that we have each year and the extent of participation. He has few offline opportunities in Boston. Its so easy to take what you have for granted. Here's to the next TWC offline!