the 2014 Leoville Barton has been uncorked....

[JimHow]

Yeah I don’t think there’s any further discount on those JC. I just sent you the secret link. I tried to buy the 2010 Troplong Mondot at a 15% discount but they said no.

[JimS]

Ohhhh man - this may be one of the best values of this vintage in my opinion. I went fairly deep on LB in this vintage and couldn’t be happier. I swear, between Leoville Barton, Calon Segur, Meyney, etc. there was zero reason to spend more than $100/bottle for world class quality this vintage. Just stellar, and glad you enjoyed!

[marcs]

Ohhhh man - this may be one of the best values of this vintage in my opinion. I went fairly deep on LB in this vintage and couldn’t be happier. I swear, between Leoville Barton, Calon Segur, Meyney, etc. there was zero reason to spend more than $100/bottle for world class quality this vintage. Just stellar, and glad you enjoyed!

Those wines you named were I think $50 wines on release, not just “below $100”. Meyney might have been like $30 though

The wines just below $100 on release were wines like Pichon Baron, Pichon Lalande, and La Conseillante, which all came out at $90/bottle. I think those will all be better than the $50 wines

[PghMike]

My note tonight on the 2014 Barton. Very nice. My only bottle but might pick up a few more of these. Amazing value.

Popped and tried a few sips before waiting a few hours before diving in. Nose of asphalt/tar and blueberry reduction. Medium body and flowing across the palate. First sips struck me as herbaceous and earthy with some serious wet stone. A few hours later with some swirling in a big ol burgundy glass I still got the herbs, earthiness and stone but with an almost crunchy fresh wild blackberry. The acidity started popping and dancing. Finishes very long on that vibrant frsh picked barely ripe wild blackberry. With a more expressive nose I'd have popped the score up a bit. Great stuff. Wife and I both noticed after a bite of aged gouda it was a 99 point wine, but that is probably cheating. 95 pts.

[Musigny 151]

2014s are amazing values, but then you have to like the style. I do so I buy.

[JimHow]

Well done Mike!

[Nicklasss]

My note tonight on the 2014 Barton. Very nice. My only bottle but might pick up a few more of these. Amazing value.

Popped and tried a few sips before waiting a few hours before diving in. Nose of asphalt/tar and blueberry reduction. Medium body and flowing across the palate. First sips struck me as herbaceous and earthy with some serious wet stone. A few hours later with some swirling in a big ol burgundy glass I still got the herbs, earthiness and stone but with an almost crunchy fresh wild blackberry. The acidity started popping and dancing. Finishes very long on that vibrant frsh picked barely ripe wild blackberry. With a more expressive nose I'd have popped the score up a bit. Great stuff. Wife and I both noticed after a bite of aged gouda it was a 99 point wine, but that is probably cheating. 95 pts.

Looks great Mike. Isn't bad for a 7 yo red Bordeaux!

[JimHow]

2014s are amazing values, but then you have to like the style. I do so I buy.

Amen my brother.

[Blanquito]

Will the '14s ever really shut down or will it be a friendly vintage for most of its evolution, perhaps along the lines of the 2001s?

[JimHow]

The Leoville Barton is indeed a wine that sneaks up on you, Mike. I think it’s very possible the 2014s won’t close down, Patrick, I have my eyes on some more, may pull the trigger later this week.

[DavidG]

Resurrecting this thread since it prompted me to buy a case of the 2014 Leoville Barton and I popped my second bottle a couple of nights ago. I don’t know if it’s the best LB ever, but it is such a classic Bordeaux. Glad I’ve still got 10. I think it’s still on the upswing.

2014 Leoville Barton:
Dark red. Opens over 1-2 hours to show dark berries, cassis, hints of tar and leafy herbs. Medium body, lots of fresh fruit, classic cab profile, good balancing acidity. Very similar to a bottle 15 months ago but tannins have softened a bit. A solidly classic Bordeaux with no hint of modern ripe fruitiness, but the fruit is there, crisp and crunchy and beautifully balanced with acid and some subtle leafy green notes. Medium-long finish. Not yet showing any true aged complexity but no qualms about it getting there over time. Very enjoyable now but expect significant improvement over the next decade and a long plateau of maturity. Already excellent-outstanding with upside potential. One for the classic Bordeaux lover, not for those seeking ripe lush modernity.

[Gerry M.]

David, luckily I still have 10 bottles. My only concern is I've already popped 6

[DavidG]

I hear ya Gerry. Too often the last couple bottles from a case are significantly better than the first 10. I’m going to try to keep hands off at least 6 of these until they start showing some real aged complexity. But they’re already so enjoyable…

[ericp]

David, this is so painfully true lol. Resist the urge as much as you can to grab those bottles! The great tasting note is just a reminder how much I blew it when I didn’t jump on the bandwagon with Jim and Gerry when they were visiting New Hampshire on all the 2014’s.