2000 Château Léoville Barton

Community Tasting Note

wrote:

92 Points

Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - ICCCW 2000 Bordeaux Horizontal Tasting (Jade Palace, Forum Galleria): The panel did not like this very much, but I thought it was a very good wine that just happened to be in a rather awkward place at the moment. Started beautifully, all plush fruit and great elegant power, but it quickly withdrew into a rather harsh, tannic robe. Nose remained lovely throughout. Serious, with a playful streak, it showed sweet cassis, dried earth, a little puff of cigar smoke, some green peppers, a dash of herbs and a little glycerin, all in a super-integrated bouquet. Palate opened really deliciously, with sweet cassis and integrated acidity on the attack, along with a real sense of depth following up, with layers of plums, and thyme-like herb in the background. All rich and concentrated, with lots of energy. Finish was nice and clean, with a very open feel as well. It blew me away on first taste. Unfortunately, it began to get a little disjointed with time, with the fruit receding and hard, rather harsh tannins beginning to assert themselves, so much so that the fruit almost seemed a little emptied out towards the back-palate. It was hard to get past the structure past the 45 minute mark. Still though, I think this will be a beauty in time. It was the most backward of the wines we tasted. I would give it another decade to be sure.

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