Otis and his wife invited us to their home last weekend for dinner and we decided on a vertical of Leoville Barton to pair with his dinner of beef tenderloin with a green peppercorn sauce, roasted beets, potato and celery puree and sauteed chanterelle mushrooms. Here are my notes:
1995 Château Léoville Barton
Decanted 3 hours before dinner. Moderately sedimented first time I have had this wine. Crimson color. This showed very well without any signs of fading. Earthy aromas. Notes of black tea, raw meat and plums. Firm tannins. Finished tied for 2nd in the group (3rd for me). 94 points
1998 Château Léoville Barton
Opened by Otis. Decanted before dinner. 3rd time I have had this wine. This wine was showing better 9 years ago when it was younger. The least tannic of the wines. Soft texture. Notes of plums, red berries and underbrush. Lighter to medium bodied for a Bordeaux. 89 points.
2000 Château Léoville Barton
Decanted 3 hours before dinner. P Another strong showing in the 6 times I have had this wine. Lightly sedimented. Clear ruby color. Soft texture with silky tannins. Long legs in the glass. Notes of ripe berries, mushroom and tobacco. Long lingering finish. The winner in this group. 97 points.
2003 Château Léoville Barton
Opened by Otis. Decanted before dinner. 4th time I have had this wine. The most powerful and biggest of the wines. Just beginning it's drinking window. Notes of beef blood, blackberries and tobacco. Firm but not overpowering tannins. I would say this still needs time if you can wait. 95 points.
VM
