Chateau Leoville Barton 2000

96-99 points Robert Parker

"One of the vintage's undeniable superstars, Leoville-Barton has produced the finest wine I have ever tasted from this winery. To put this in another perspective, this is a wine I purchase and cellar because of my admiration for the proprietor, Anthony Barton, and the fact that his wine is a classic St.-Julien. The 2000 Leoville-Barton transcends anything made at this property in the last fifty years. An opaque purple color is accompanied by reluctant aromas of cassis, earth, oak, and licorice. The spectacular quality becomes even more evident in the mouth. The wine is enormous, but symmetrical, with thrilling levels of concentration, beautifully integrated acidity, tannin, and wood, and a finish that lasts for nearly a minute. This is a massive, complex effort with uncanny balance for a wine of such size and magnitude. It is one of the wines of the vintage and a modern day classic! Anticipated maturity: 2008-2040.” (04/2001)