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| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 87.1 pts. and median of 89 pts. in 44 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by JLCFan on 7/27/2023 & rated 88 points: A little bit desiccated, rotting wood, balsamic vinegar, a little oxidized.
Extremely savory on the finish. The barest hint of sour cherry fruit remains. (797 views) | | | Tasted by ayalao3 on 3/23/2023 & rated 94 points: All tertiary notes. 93-94 drink now, drink upon 2hrs of opening. (1027 views) | | | Tasted by coremill on 9/11/2022 & rated 90 points: Fill almost to the neck, good cork. Decanted off sediment, then drunk over a few hours. Good dark color. Classic nose of expressive black cassis fruit, cedar, mint, leather, earth. Savory on the palate, fully resolved, no 1975 asperity, perhaps a little dilute at this stage but not short or tart or drying out. Nice older claret. (1435 views) | | | Tasted by Margaux Bro on 5/31/2022 & rated 93 points: This was absolutely one of the worst corks I've ever dealt with and I was using a durand. Port tongs probably would have been the better choice. Absolutely stunned that the underlying wine was very much still good. I stood upright that morning, but I would suggest sitting it upright 2-3 days ahead of serving. (1422 views) | | | Tasted by Sacramento Geezer on 1/29/2022 & rated 92 points: Purchased from Benchmark auction, my bottle was high shoulder with decrepit cork that pushed into the bottle largely intact as I opened three hours before dinner. Decanted with sieve then and didn’t taste until just before dining, though bouquet promised fine old wine. That first taste was delicious, poured two glasses and decanted again into crystal for table. Did not notice much evolution. In evening light, color appeared dark without noticeable browning. Tannins resolved, nice red fruit acidity, elegant, well balanced. A real treat. 20 years ago, Parker said this 1975 “fabulous” yet fully mature. (1775 views) | | | Tasted by oldwines on 1/16/2022 & rated 92 points: Purchased from CellarRaiders several years ago, I was not expecting a lot this was curious in that it developed beautifully over time. It was decanted around 4pm and tasted over 3+ hours. Initially it was quite bricked and tight. It was very earthy showing mushroom and cherry and a bitter finish around hour 2 but transformed by hour 3 to a much more rich and dark wine with good texture and red fruited flavors. Really nice at that point with grilled steaks. Another example of how older wines still need decanting and several hours of air…my wife sneered at this when she first tasted it and tossed it down the drain but later it was gulped down with the steak to kudos. (1698 views) | | | Tasted by rstark on 10/14/2020 & rated 92 points: Very nice color with minimal bricking considering we are 45 years in. Unfortunately, the initial nose was nearly maderized, as was the initial sip. Not worchester, but all tertiary and no fruit. However, there was a promising fullness and rich mouthfeel. We were rewarded 15 minutes later as the wine went through a “fountain of youth” change in the glass and the fruit essences emerged (lightly, but they were there) and blended nicely with the earth/Asian spice elements. Patience was rewarded again! (2085 views) | | | Tasted by rbieber168@gmail.com on 6/13/2020 & rated 89 points: was very nice open opening the bottle. However, it went flat after sitting and never came back. Overall, I like this wine but maybe this bottle was a little flawed (1990 views) | | | Tasted by JonnyG on 3/9/2020 & rated 94 points: A superb showing. I found tobacco, tea and iron notes on the nose. The wine was a touch jammy, with plenty of spice, and a very long finish. (2225 views) | | | Tasted by Mjladha on 11/30/2019 & rated 90 points: Saved the best for last! Seemed firmer in structure at tannins than the previous 3 bottles (even though it’s still well past it’s prime). This was good. (2101 views) | | | Tasted by Mjladha on 11/8/2019 & rated 85 points: Very depressed cork. Barnyard funk. Somehow not bad! (2064 views) | | | Tasted by Mjladha on 11/2/2019 & rated 88 points: Much better than the first bottle, possibly Bcs of a better decant? Started as flat as last time but improved by the minute. Still well past prime but not unenjoyable with a good decant. (1492 views) | | | Tasted by Mjladha on 12/15/2018 & rated 81 points: Flat. Nice nose but well past its prime. (1810 views) | | | Tasted by Neecies on 2/22/2017: A very, very good 75. Nose of sweet cedar, tobacco, red fruit, leather and Barton spice with considerably more body and persistence in the finish than the 70 GPL that preceded it. Wonderful. (3642 views) | | | Tasted by jafny on 1/24/2016 & rated 93 points: Opened this last week to celebrate my son in law's 40th. Lucky guy, I have plenty of 75's! This is the third bottle I've uncorked over the years, high shoulder fill, and wasn't expecting much since the first two were rather disappointing and one dimensional. However in this case a good thing came to one who waited. As soon as I pulled the cork and took a whiff I knew I was in for a treat, the aroma was just beautiful. I had to check the label and make sure this was a 75 Barton! Knowing how hard the 75's are I let it breath in decanter for two hours. Very nice, well balanced, medium bodied, surprisingly youthful. It showed some pedigree for sure as it kept developing in the glass with nice mid pallet fruit . I have two more bottles to look forward to, no rush. Hopefully it was the extra time in my cellar that finally delivered as opposed to this just being a way above average bottle.....so far.
The wine looks violet colored. The legs are medium. There is light sediment in the bottle. It smells like strawberry. The body is medium/full. The wine has polished texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has low acidity. (4636 views) | | | Tasted by jrobs7777 on 1/16/2016: A well kept bottle. Medium red color. Displays grace for its age. Austere. There is a very faint whiff of fruit but this is all secondary at this point. Cedar and a touch of leather. Classy stuff that has aged well. Probably past its prime in terms of expression and character but this is still drinking well. (4689 views) | | | Tasted by Trickyone on 1/3/2016: Big Gambles (Home): This oddball bottle had been following me around for years. 1975 in Bordeaux was a challenging year in that it produced very hard wines--impenetrably tannic in their youth.
The bottle had been properly stored for the many years it was held, but still showed ullage to just under high shoulder level. Since the color appeared sound through the neck and punt, I'd just held it for "someday".
When "someday" arrived, I pulled the saturated cork about 2 hours before consumption and decanted it off the heavy sediment. The wine was a ruddy red going into the decanter and the aroma veered between slight VA and nothing at all--a pretty typical birth (or death) ritual for an older wine.
It settled down to notes of stewed fruits and, finally, the leathery notes I love so much in mature Bordeaux.
The bottom line is that the wine was either past its prime by a few years, or more likely, that it never had a prime at all considering what must have been overwhelming tannins throughout its life. Whichever the case, it was still good to find life in a 40+ year old wine. (5080 views) | | | Tasted by AllRed on 9/13/2015 & rated 93 points: Second Sunday Group: 1975 Bordeaux (Augie's): Aromas of tobacco, iron, asphalt and tea leaves. Red berry jam, herbs and tobacco with a lengthy finish. Integrated and well-balanced with plenty of fruit remaining. Lovely.
My #1, Domino's #1
Group #4, 48 pts (4977 views) | | | Tasted by theusualsuspect on 5/10/2015 & rated 90 points: For stamina. This wine has been impeccably well stored since acquisition upon release. Never seen a temp above 58 and for thirty of those years never above 53. Plenty rich but a pervasive iodine note if you will. 24 hours later of sitting on the sideboard, still very much alive and well. Remarkable. (3190 views) | | | Tasted by RajivAyyangar on 2/26/2015: LM Birthday wines at the Palace, SF (The Palace Steakhouse, SF): First time I’ve encountered Bdx of this age - many thanks to LM for sharing this special bottle!
In the glass, medium garnet (I didn’t get a good read on the bricking in the light). On the nose, my initial impression was of acetaldehyde, lean sharp green pyrazine (St. Julien, vineyards are 72% cab, 20% merlot, 8% cab franc), undertone of brett, and a glimmer of savory, distant fruit. Over time it opened up, but seemed fleeting. I needed to listen carefully and use some imagination to reconstruct it, but it had so many interesting things to say. I wish I were alone with it in a quiet well-lit room, free of other distractions.
On the palate my first impression was one of austerity and leanness. At first (and especially after the young Vermentino blend), I thought “This is like slightly bretty, oxidative, tart, tannic water". But then I seemed to get past the initial front and found it polished, refined, and expressive - intriguing and beguiling, even. I was struck by the many tertiary aromas that presented themselves, slippery and enmeshed. I definitely felt a lack of context to really understand this, but it was easy to be drawn in. TS Eliot’s quip about great art being easy to recognize, difficult to understand comes to mind.
No score, as I have no previous context. I’ve been curious about older Bdx for a long time - it was awesome to be able to taste this. (2787 views) | | | Tasted by scottnmand on 11/25/2014 flawed bottle: Smelled like a Barbie doll and cardboard :( (2721 views) | | | Tasted by DoubleMagnum on 6/18/2014 & rated 89 points: After the '66 Croizet-Bages, this seemed a bit thin and tired. It is drinkable and still enjoyable but it is definitely passed its peak. (3222 views) | | | Tasted by JenTomHank on 10/8/2012 & rated 92 points: Shocked about this one. Mature color and nose, cork saturated but came out whole. Silky smooth right out of the bottle with typical graphite and ripe fruit. Got better and cleaner as the night went on. Decanted 3 hours. This is a case of a great, well stored bottle. (5783 views) | | | Tasted by alistairassheton on 10/4/2011 & rated 85 points: This bottle is part of a case I am working my way through, having got hold of it at a reasonable price due to its alleged 'over readiness'. So far we've had one properly bad one, one OK one and two very enjoyable examples. Lovely nose, leather, cigar box - very open, still some fruit - a short finish but well worth it. No doubt past its very best, but still a thorougly enjoyable bottle. (5933 views) | | | Tasted by stoneb on 11/13/2010 & rated 90 points: Decanted for an hour before dinner. Ruby-amber color. Smoky, cigar box nose. Medium body; flavors of red fruit, cedar, smoke, and baking spices. Short finish. Fully mature Bordeaux and probably on the downslope, this was nonetheless delicious. Drink up. (6370 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| Château Léoville Barton Producer website - Read more about Chateau Leoville BartonRed Bordeaux BlendRed Bordeaux is generally made from a blend of grapes. Permitted grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and rarely Carménère.Today Carménère is rarely used, with Château Clerc Milon, a fifth growth Bordeaux, being one of the few to still retain Carménère vines. As of July 2019, Bordeaux wineries authorized the use of four new red grapes to combat temperature increases in Bordeaux. These newly approved grapes are Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa.
Wineries all over the world aspire to making wines in a Bordeaux style. In 1988, a group of American vintners formed The Meritage Association to identify wines made in this way. Although most Meritage wines come from California, there are members of the Meritage Association in 18 states and five other countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, and Mexico.France Vins de France (Office National Interprofessionnel des Vins ) | Pages Vins, Directory of French Winegrowers | French Wine (Wikipedia)
Wine Scholar Guild vintage ratings
2018 vintage: "marked by a wet spring, a superb summer and a good harvest"
2019 vintage reports
2021: "From a general standpoint, whether for white, rosé or red wines, 2021 is a year marked by quality in the Rhône Valley Vineyards. Structured, elegant, fresh and fruity will be the main keywords for this new vintage."
2022 harvest: idealwine.info | wine-searcher.comBordeaux Bordeaux Wine Guide
Vins Bordeaux (Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux)
History of Bordeaux
History of 1855 Bordeaux Classification
"2009 is all about ripeness, with wines impressively packed with ripe fruit and high alcohol levels. They are showy, in-your-face, and full of pleasure. The 2010s have the fruit and alcohol levels of the 2009s, but with a compelling freshness on the finish that balances the fruit and provides a perfect sense of structure." - Ben Nelson
"2016 is a landmark vintage in certain spots of Bordeaux and it should be remembered as one of the most inspired campaigns of the last 40-50+ years." -Jon Rimmerman
"The quality of red Bordeaux in 2016 was universally lauded – although the response to the en primeur campaign was muted. Quantity was high too, with the equivalent of 770 million bottles of wine produced. An exceptionally dry summer with cool nights eventually, thanks to mid September rain, resulted in small, thick-skinned, ripe grapes, and the wines are marked by high tannin and acidity, with superb aromatic fragrance." - Jancis Robinson
"2017 was complicated, but there are some excellent wines. Expect plenty of freshness and drinkability from wines that will offer excellent value, and others that will rival 2016 in terms of ripeness and ageability. But they are likely to be the exception not the rule, making careful selection key." - Jane Anson
"In the past, a vintage such as 2022 may have been overripe, raisined and low in acidity but 2022 had a sneaky little reservoir in its back pocket - a near perfect marriage of cool/cold/rain the previous winter and the previous vintage that literally soaked the soils (a key to why 2022 is not 2003...or 1893)." - Jon RimmermanMédoc Vins du Médoc (Conseil des Vins du Médoc) - Read More about the Medoc
VdB
The eight precisely defined appellations of the whole of the Médoc (from Blanquefort Brook to the north of the Bordeaux built-up area, almost to the Pointe de Grave) may claim the Médoc appellation. But there is also a specific territory in the north of the peninsula which produces exclusively wines with this appellation. In the great majority, the Médocs come from the north of the peninsula. The great individuality of this region is that the number of vines has increased more recently here than elsewhere, apart from a few isolated spots where vines have grown for many years. Today, the size of the small estate has brought about the development of a powerful co-operative movement. Four co-operatives out of five belong to the group called Unimédoc which ensures aging, bottling and marketing a large proportion of their wines.St. Julien VdB
Read more detailed information on St. Julien and its wines The seventeenth century pioneers Traces are to be found of a Saint-Julien de Rintrac, perhaps Saint-Julien's earliest name, as from the thirteenth century. But we have to wait until the seventeenth century pioneers, urban and rural aristocrats, discover the exceptional merits of these terroirs.
Traces of this system still exist today in the structure of estates within the appellation: by the side of the two villages of Beychevelle and Saint-Julien, the large estates are heavily preponderant, representing more than four fifths of the total surface of vineyards.
The terrain is practically identical over all the commune. Only the proximity of the estuary, sometimes close, sometimes further away, can cause slight variations in climate. In fact, Saint-Julien-Beychevelle's layer of gravel takes the form of a huge rectangle over 3 miles long and 2 miles wide. And the alluvial deposits are particularly well fragmented into ridges of Garonne gravel of the early Quaternary. Accordingly, the vines are safeguarded from stagnant water.
The wines from the Saint-Julien appellation may be recognized by their unparalleled bouquet, particularly harmonious and mild. They have a fine deep colour and combine the finesse of their aromas and a solid constitution. They have body, are very rich in flavour and have a delicious and delicate bouquet.
Production conditions (Decree dated November 14, 1936)
In order to have the right to the Saint-Julien appellation of controlled origin, red wines must:
- come from the commune of Saint-Julien and from precisely defined parcels in the communes of Cussac, and Saint-Laurent, "excluding the parcels situated on recent alluvium and sand on impermeable subsoils",
- satisfy precise production conditions: grape-varieties (Cabernet-Sauvignon, Cabernet-Franc, Carmenère, Merlot Noir, Petit Verdot, Cot or Malbec), minimum of sugar (178 grammes - 6.27 oz. - per litre of must) degree (an acquired 10°5) base yield (45 hectolitres per hectare). |
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