1975 Chateau Leoville Barton, Saint-Julien, France

Description

A little bit desiccated, rotting wood, balsamic vinegar, a little oxidized.

Extremely savory on the finish. The barest hint of sour cherry fruit remains.

All tertiary notes. 93-94 drink now, drink upon 2hrs of opening.

Fill almost to the neck, good cork. Decanted off sediment, then drunk over a few hours. Good dark color. Classic nose of expressive black cassis fruit, cedar, mint, leather, earth. Savory on the palate, fully resolved, no 1975 asperity, perhaps a little dilute at this stage but not short or tart or drying out. Nice older claret.

This was absolutely one of the worst corks I’ve ever dealt with and I was using a durand. Port tongs probably would have been the better choice. Absolutely stunned that the underlying wine was very much still good. I stood upright that morning, but I would suggest sitting it upright 2-3 days ahead of serving.

Purchased from Benchmark auction, my bottle was high shoulder with decrepit cork that pushed into the bottle largely intact as I opened three hours before dinner. Decanted with sieve then and didn’t taste until just before dining, though bouquet promised fine old wine. That first taste was delicious, poured two glasses and decanted again into crystal for table. Did not notice much evolution. In evening light, color appeared dark without noticeable browning. Tannins resolved, nice red fruit acidity, elegant, well balanced. A real treat. 20 years ago, Parker said this 1975 “fabulous” yet fully mature.

Purchased from CellarRaiders several years ago, I was not expecting a lot this was curious in that it developed beautifully over time. It was decanted around 4pm and tasted over 3+ hours. Initially it was quite bricked and tight. It was very earthy showing mushroom and cherry and a bitter finish around hour 2 but transformed by hour 3 to a much more rich and dark wine with good texture and red fruited flavors. Really nice at that point with grilled steaks. Another example of how older wines still need decanting and several hours of air…my wife sneered at this when she first tasted it and tossed it down the drain but later it was gulped down with the steak to kudos.

Very nice color with minimal bricking considering we are 45 years in. Unfortunately, the initial nose was nearly maderized, as was the initial sip. Not worchester, but all tertiary and no fruit. However, there was a promising fullness and rich mouthfeel. We were rewarded 15 minutes later as the wine went through a “fountain of youth” change in the glass and the fruit essences emerged (lightly, but they were there) and blended nicely with the earth/Asian spice elements. Patience was rewarded again!