March 27, 2024 - The nose on this was incredible. Palate was great too, with classic Bordeaux characteristics, some early maturity showing through, some ripe fruit and smokiness. Drinking better than expected.
February 14, 2024 - Saint Valentine day today and me and my wife should drink something special ( I hope so, you know - wine is risky business)
My first wine from 2nd Growth Cru Classé. Let's see what it can do for us.
3 hours in the decanter
🕐⏰🕙
No doubt about it. The wine is high class. Everything is in the right place. Flavors, acidity, tannins. Balance and harmony - top notch. But this wine did not enchant me, it did not surprise me, it did not delight me to the fullest. Am I spoiled brat or what? More money = more joy?
Not exactly.
I had less expensive wines and I enjoyed them more.
2008 vintage?
Probably
But something for something.
My main complaint - muted aromas. Shy and simple.
Black fruits, forest, cedar,red cherry, tobacco.
Taste is much, much better.
Black fruits and milk chocolate, vanilla and coffee (!), red cherry, a lot of spice and minerals.
Medium finish.
But balance and harmony, harmony and balance... 👍
2008 vintage in Medoc got 91 points according to the WA Vintage Guide.
Outstanding. Early maturing and accessible.
Wine?
WE - 96
JS - 94
ST - 93
Vinous - 93
Decanter - 92
JD - 92
RP - 92
Jeff Leve - 92
WS - 91
February 14, 2024 - 2008 Château Leoville Barton (13% alc)
Clear medium garnet with medium intensity of blackberry, black cherry, black plum, bramble, white pepper, black olive, toast, marizpan (almonds), dark chocolate, lead pencil, charred wood, smoke, earth and savoury.
The wine is dry with medium acidity, medium- fully integrated tannins, medium alcohol, medium+ body, with a medium flavour intensity of same. Wine is full developed and the finish is long.
February 12, 2024 - Still a bit backward and closed following an hour decant but continued to open up over the course of a few hours. Wish I had more time. Textbook leather, dark cherry, pencil shavings, cedar, and black pepper. Lots of tension on the palate but very juicy and complex. The acidity and fruit are well balanced. Finish is nice but nothing crazy. Drinking well at the moment but I don't think it has reached peak.
January 31, 2024 - Opened the bottle previously accessed by Coravin.
Strapping and bold while classy and restrained. Excellent tension, precision, and range. Cabernet Sauvignon in the lead, accentuated by Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Seamless alcohol. Well integrated oak. Satisfying.
January 31, 2024 - Bu au resto AVV La Suite avec les FOUDUVIN chapitre de l'Estrie!
Textbook Bordeaux, un beau claret.
Bien souple et à point, sur la terre et le cuir avec un
peu d'herbes et des épices. Finale de belle longueur.
Très beau mais a complètement été soufflé
par le Pontet-Canet 2010 bu en parallele!
December 26, 2023 - Exactly what you'd expect out of 15 year old LB. In a good spot now and just entering primary drinking window in my opinion.
December 25, 2023 - Austere est le mot qui definit le mieux ce vin de 15 ans ouvert a loccasion du reveillon de Noel.
A louverture, le verre deguste avant de laisser le vin souvrir montre beaucoup de matiere et des tanins encore bien presents. Servi 3 heures plus tard et bu sans prise de notes ce vin reste severe avec une pointe de verdeur et une legere amertume en fin de bouche. Les aromes restent sur le fruit et le vin exprime encore une certaine jeunesse. Pour ma part je laisse mes 2 dernieres bouteilles tranquilles pour les 5 prochaines annees. Revoir en 2028-2030.
November 29, 2023 - Inviting nose followed by a thin unimpressive expression of Bordeaux. Finish astringent and flat unfortunately. Not a Barton problem but more the reality of the vintage and its development or lack thereof
2008 - bad spring, bad summer, bad wine regrettably
November 23, 2023 - Too young at the moment and never really opened up despite a 5 hour decant. Maybe it is in bit of a "dumb phase" but there is plenty of potential here and it could evolve and open up to be quite special in time. I have one more bottle and will give that 10 years +