Tasting Notes
Will Gardener 17/20
Very deep centre here, this is concentrated but subdued. When enticed with air the delicious fruit richness comes through, the mouthfeel is superb, cool pure fruit, very dense chewy and velvety, the finish is also very fine. A delicious 2003.
Vinous 93
Good medium ruby. Explosive nose of black raspberry, coffee and leather. Hugely rich, dense and sweet, with deep flavors of currant, plum and chocolate complicated by underlying minerality. Wonderfully dense and full on the back end, with broad tannins and palate-staining length. Today, the 2005 comes off as dry by comparison. A standout of the vintage, and likely to be long-lived in the context of the year.
Robert Parker 96
A spectacular success, the opaque plum-colored 2003 Leoville Barton is still on the young side of its plateau of maturity. It exhibits a striking bouquet of forest floor and black currants as well as a full-bodied, exuberant, youthful style, an opaque plum/ruby color, a lot of complexity, and striking depth and richness. This is a profound, stunning effort from Anthony Barton and his team. Bravo! It should continue to provide immense pleasure for 20-30 years.
Anticipated maturity: 2014-2044
JancisRobinson.com 17.0
Mid garnet. Lovely cedary black fruit aromas. Almost the first time I have written fragrant in this tasting. Some oak sweetness on the palate but it’s fresh too and the tannins are fine and resolved, still with some density. (JH)
Anticipated maturity: 2010-2017
