Château Léoville-Barton 2000 – Saint-Julien, 2ème Grand Cru Classé

The nose is elegant, powerful, beautifully-built as well as a truffle side. It reveals notes of black pepper, crushed cassis and small notes of crushed strawberry associated with fine touches of violet, undergrowth as well as hints of liquorice and caramelization. The palate is fruity, well balanced, very discreetly tight, fond and offers gourmandize, a mineral frame, tension, an almost saline minerality, suavity, precision, power as well as a beautiful structure. On the palate this wine expresses notes of very ripe cassis, undergrowth and small notes of crushed strawberry combined with fine touches of truffle, ripe small fruits Bourbon vanilla, toasted, caramelized hazelnut as well as a subtle hint of sweet blond tobacco. Tannins are elegant and very slightly firm. Beautiful persistence. There is a very discreet dry hint on the finish / persistence (but considering the level of the wine it is easily forgiven).