A superb bottle of this that is drinking well now but with plenty left in the tank. Really ultra-smooth even for the normally rustic Barton style with deep blackberry fruit and gorgeous, supple tannins. Double-decanted 4 hours.
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34 years later … still a pretty purple in the glass with brown edges and a viscous sediment-filled body … nose of plum and sandalwood … Acidity and fruit have held up well. There’s a slight tannic bitterness at the finish; so it’s a little out of balance to my palette but then again my most recent Bordeaux experienced was a 2018 Ducru — tough act to follow!
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Three years plus since the last bottle. This wine took a long time to come around but boy is it singing now. It had great structure, fine tannins and, very curiously, the fruit had a touch of sweetness to it. In some ways, it reminded me of a fine Burgundy. Yet, all the other old Bordeaux characteristics were there as well. Consumed at the Capital Grille in Naples with a long term friend and member of the Commanderie de Bordeaux. He was wowed as well. It would have been interesting to put this wine against a 1990 Leoville las Cases and 1990 Leoville Poyferre.
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Decanted for sediment, iirc, and enjoyed over the following few hours; served double-blind. "more like a Pauillac than a St Julien", I certainly agree with that observation. This needed an hour or so of air before it was flashing its nobility and pedigree - and rightfully so - with well-earned gravitas. Love the sense of soil, earth, and to a fair degree, moment in time. The tannins were such a fine complement on this one in particular, not something I find myself saying that often at this address. It's ready, so feel free to go for it. 12,5% abv. highly recommended
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PnP, but showed best after an hour. Silky smooth, ripe black, blue, and, a still-surprising amount of, red fruits. Nice touches of pencil shavings with a touch of tobacco leaf. 20 second finish. Still at peak and will likely hold for 2+ more years. Half teaspoon of sediment.
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(Château Léoville Barton) Slightly bricking very dark red violet color; stewed plum, tart black fruit nose; a little stewy, tart currant, tart plum, tobacco palate with good acidity; medium-plus finish 92+ points (possibly a little heat damage on this bottle)
(Château Léoville Barton) Slightly bricking, very dark red violet color; deep, redolent, tobacco, tart black fruit, baked plum nose with a hint of smoke; tasty, mature, tart plum, berry, prune, tobacco, pencil lead palate; medium-plus finish
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4/4/2024 - dream Likes this wine: 94 Points
A superb bottle of this that is drinking well now but with plenty left in the tank. Really ultra-smooth even for the normally rustic Barton style with deep blackberry fruit and gorgeous, supple tannins. Double-decanted 4 hours.
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4/3/2024 - kendrickbaker Likes this wine: 91 Points
34 years later … still a pretty purple in the glass with brown edges and a viscous sediment-filled body … nose of plum and sandalwood … Acidity and fruit have held up well. There’s a slight tannic bitterness at the finish; so it’s a little out of balance to my palette but then again my most recent Bordeaux experienced was a 2018 Ducru — tough act to follow!
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2/19/2024 - Moonie Likes this wine: 96 Points
Three years plus since the last bottle. This wine took a long time to come around but boy is it singing now. It had great structure, fine tannins and, very curiously, the fruit had a touch of sweetness to it. In some ways, it reminded me of a fine Burgundy. Yet, all the other old Bordeaux characteristics were there as well. Consumed at the Capital Grille in Naples with a long term friend and member of the Commanderie de Bordeaux. He was wowed as well. It would have been interesting to put this wine against a 1990 Leoville las Cases and 1990 Leoville Poyferre.
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2/2/2024 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
Decanted for sediment, iirc, and enjoyed over the following few hours; served double-blind. "more like a Pauillac than a St Julien", I certainly agree with that observation. This needed an hour or so of air before it was flashing its nobility and pedigree - and rightfully so - with well-earned gravitas. Love the sense of soil, earth, and to a fair degree, moment in time. The tannins were such a fine complement on this one in particular, not something I find myself saying that often at this address. It's ready, so feel free to go for it. 12,5% abv. highly recommended
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1/20/2024 - mxpbuy Likes this wine: 93 Points
PnP, but showed best after an hour. Silky smooth, ripe black, blue, and, a still-surprising amount of, red fruits. Nice touches of pencil shavings with a touch of tobacco leaf. 20 second finish. Still at peak and will likely hold for 2+ more years. Half teaspoon of sediment.
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