1986 Château Léoville Barton, France, Bordeaux, St. Julien, Wine Review

Very nice showing for this wine. Pop and pour, it took about 30 minutes to open up and then kept improving over the next couple of hours. Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is nice with cassis, cigar box, slight funk. On the palate, this is full bodied. Still has some unresolved tannins. Somewhat chunky at first but smooths out with air. Fresh and dried cassis fruit with underlying earthiness. Nice finish. This is drinking well and shows complexity as well as deliciousness. Of course there will be bottle variation, but probably best to drink over the next ten years. This drinks well on its own but is better with food. A nice stew would be a good match.

Grade:

Score:

Vintage:

1986

Current Price:

$150.00USD

Bordeaux First Growths: Chateau Lafite, First Amongst First Growths

Of all Bordeaux first growths, perhaps none is as well known, both inside and outside of the wine world, as Chateau Lafite Rothschild. Its name transcends wine, standing as a symbol of luxury. How did it get this lofty reputation? And, more importantly is, it deserved? The answer to the second question is a definite yes. This article will explore the first question in more detail. The History: Records of this estate stretch as far back as 1234 when Gombaud de Lafite, abbot of the Vertheuil Monastery north of Pauillac, owned the property. The name Lafite comes from "la hite", a Gascon expression meaning "small hill." Records from the 14th century indicate that it was not a vineyard, but what the French call a seigneurie. This is an estate run by a lord and others who are effectively sharecroppers. The manor house was constructed in the 1500s and still standing today. Read part one of the First Growths Series. The Ségur family bought the property in the 1600s. Jacques de Ségur planted the vineyard in 1680 although grapes were no doubt grown before that. By the early 1700s, thanks to Nicolas-Alexandre, Marquis de Ségur, Chateau Lafite wines were very popular with those wealthy enough to afford them, first in English Society (where it was a favorite of Prime Minster Robert Walpole) and later in French society.

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1986 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, France, Bordeaux, St. Julien, Wine Review

Vintage:

1986

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$240.00USD

A dangerous vintage for this wine as they had winery wide issues with cork taint in the late 80's. This bottle, however, showed very well. Pop and pour, it took about 30 minutes to really get going. After that it kept opening in stages for the next couple hours. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. Mostly opaque and bright. The nose is nice with cassis, leather, a slight horse note and with air, cigar box. On the palate, this is fresh and drinking well. Tannins are pretty much resolved. Layers of fruit and earth unwind in the glass. Good finish. I would drink these sooner than later

1967 Château Léoville Barton, France, Bordeaux, St. Julien, Wine Review

Vintage:

1967

Grade:

Always fun to get a chance at drinking an older wine. 1967 was a long time ago. The Beatles released Sgt.

2000 Château Langoa Barton, France, Bordeaux, St. Julien, Wine Review

Vintage:

2000

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$115.00USD

Another slowly developing 2000 Bordeaux. Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has cassis, cigar box, leather and spice. Full bodied. Light to medium tannins. On the palate, black cherries and cassis with some leathery notes and underlying forest floor. Nice complexity. Good finish. Drink over the next five to seven years. Better with food, this would work nicely with Beef Wellington.

2003 Château Léoville Barton, France, Bordeaux, St. Julien, Wine Review

Vintage:

2003

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$165.00USD

This was from the crazy hot, 2003 vintage. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has cassis, tobacco, slight leather, damp earth and spice. Full bodied. Good balance. On the palate, this is ripe but certainly not over ripe. No prunes or raisins. A really amazing Bordeaux that is just getting to maturity. Loads of cassis with some spice and a bit of Bordeaux funk. Long finish. This should continue to drink well for another ten to fifteen years. Nice on its own, but better with food. This went well with roasted root vegetables and rice.

1986 Château Léoville Barton, France, Bordeaux, St. Julien, Wine Review

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Bordeaux First Growths: Chateau Lafite, First Amongst First Growths

1986 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, France, Bordeaux, St. Julien, Wine Review

1967 Château Léoville Barton, France, Bordeaux, St. Julien, Wine Review

2000 Château Langoa Barton, France, Bordeaux, St. Julien, Wine Review

2003 Château Léoville Barton, France, Bordeaux, St. Julien, Wine Review