WTN: Leoville Barton 2004

Leoville Barton 2004

Very nice with a richness that I haven't found in any other 2004 Bordeaux. Full deep fruit with coffee and other dark overtones. Dense with nice secondary flavors. Long finish. Surprisingly soft. This will mature very nicely. Best of the dozen or so 2004's I've tried to date.
B+/A-

Thanx for the report on this.. I bought quite a bit of this, including my first mag of Bdx....

Year in and year out, LB is one of my favorite producers...just wish the prices in all years were more like 2004.

I've got a few of these, but haven't tried yet. Must remedy. Supposed to take a "steak wine" to dinner tonight, but unsure how many folks there, and maybe should save my initial '04 L-B for an evening I can concentrate and savor more. Thanks for notes.

[Jenise]

Thanks for this note, Matt. The 99 convinced me this is a wine I've got to buy every year, but then I haven't bought any since 01. Need to get back on plan!

[David M. Bueker]

Timely. I just picked up my case of 375s this AM & steak is on the menu for tonight!

Sadly my Leoville-Barton vertical ends with the 2004 vintage, but based on tastes of every vintage from 1978-2002 last spring (a very fun evening) I can be sure that all the years from 1998-2004 will reward patience. In my opinion, the best Bordeaux for the money from the '90s and early '00s (edging out Pontet Canet and Sociando Mallet - two more that did really well in 2004).

Thank you for the note.
This producer is almost a staple buy for me, up until 2004. I have not tasted the 04 but have some that's being held for fall shipping.

BTW, it's good to see your posts, Matt.

Ramon

Thanks RC. It's nice to see familiar names, since I'm new to this group.

I'm looking forward to hearing other opinions on this wine. It was not nearly as backward as I was expecting. I let it sit in the decanter for about 3 hours and drank it with a wonderful rare steak, so maybe that had something to do with it. I agree that Leoville Barton is one of the good buys of Bordeaux. Based on this tasting I will probably pick up a few magnums for long term storage and some 375s if I can find them.