Château Léoville-Poyferré
About Chateau Léoville-Poyferré
Chateau Léoville-Poyferré has emerged as perhaps the second most important St. Julien estate behind Léoville las Cases. The property can trace its history all the way back to 1638, but that history is a tortuous path of ownership and name changes as part of what came to be called the "Léoville" estate. The Cuvelier family purchased this Château in 1920, and it remains in their stewardship to this day in the form of Sara Lecompte-Cuvelier, niece of Didier who oversaw some remarkable improvements to the estate during the 1980s and onwards. The team is comprised of some truly masterful oenologists, including the original superstar consultant Michel Rolland - Léoville-Poyferré was in fact only his second-ever consulting role, and he has now been at the property for over 40 years!
The Vineyard and the Winemaking
Léoville-Poyferré has always been and remains different in spirit to its siblings. Overseeing 60ha estate with some wonderful plots in the 'Grand Clos' bordering Las Cases, the estate is also constituted of plots splitting up over much of St-Julien, meaning that Poyferré has some of the most varied terroirs in the entire region, and certainly the most diverse of the incredible triumvirate.
One of the very first estates in the region to carry out malolactic fermentation in oak barrels, this has always been a forward-thinking and innovative producer. Today, optical sorting tables are used in the advanced winery where vinification occurs on fruit from very low-yielding plots - 35hl/ha compared to the Bordeaux average of 45hl/ha.
A higher proportion of Merlot in the blend (and in the vineyard) than is typical for St-Julien yields results only to be expected stylistically. The wine is rounded, rich and generous; however, as Cabernet Sauvignon still dominates, Léoville Poyferré retains the stunning freshness, acidity and structure to be expected from the greatest expressions of the appellation.
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James Suckling (95-96)
This is very typical for St.-Julien with violets, berries, blackcurrants and crushed stone. Medium to full body with very fine tannins that run the length of the wine. Powdery tannins and a rich finish. Velvety texture. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 26% merlot, 9% cabernet franc and 5% petit verdot.HK$8,835.00 -
James Suckling (95-96)
This is very typical for St.-Julien with violets, berries, blackcurrants and crushed stone. Medium to full body with very fine tannins that run the length of the wine. Powdery tannins and a rich finish. Velvety texture. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 26% merlot, 9% cabernet franc and 5% petit verdot.HK$3,400.00 -
(12x75cl) 2022Jeb Dunnuck (100)
Reminding me of the 2018 (as well as the 2009), if not slightly more concentrated, the 2022 Château Léoville Poyferré is one of the most opulent and flamboyant wines out of the Médoc in 2022, and it has incredible intensity while staying light on its feet and graceful. Its dense, glass-staining purple hue is followed by a sensational perfume of crème de cassis, graphite, darker chocolate, scorched earth, and flowers. Full-bodied on the palate, it brings extravagant levels of fruit as well as a seamless mouthfeel, beautifully integrated oak, tannins, and acidity, no hard edges, and a gorgeous finish. It shines even today, yet it has beautiful underlying structure and will evolve gracefully over the coming 30+ years. The 2022 is based on 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and 4% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, aged 18-20 months in 80% new oak.HK$10,770.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
Reminding me of the 2018 (as well as the 2009), if not slightly more concentrated, the 2022 Château Léoville Poyferré is one of the most opulent and flamboyant wines out of the Médoc in 2022, and it has incredible intensity while staying light on its feet and graceful. Its dense, glass-staining purple hue is followed by a sensational perfume of crème de cassis, graphite, darker chocolate, scorched earth, and flowers. Full-bodied on the palate, it brings extravagant levels of fruit as well as a seamless mouthfeel, beautifully integrated oak, tannins, and acidity, no hard edges, and a gorgeous finish. It shines even today, yet it has beautiful underlying structure and will evolve gracefully over the coming 30+ years. The 2022 is based on 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and 4% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, aged 18-20 months in 80% new oak.HK$4,170.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
Reminding me of the 2018 (as well as the 2009), if not slightly more concentrated, the 2022 Château Léoville Poyferré is one of the most opulent and flamboyant wines out of the Médoc in 2022, and it has incredible intensity while staying light on its feet and graceful. Its dense, glass-staining purple hue is followed by a sensational perfume of crème de cassis, graphite, darker chocolate, scorched earth, and flowers. Full-bodied on the palate, it brings extravagant levels of fruit as well as a seamless mouthfeel, beautifully integrated oak, tannins, and acidity, no hard edges, and a gorgeous finish. It shines even today, yet it has beautiful underlying structure and will evolve gracefully over the coming 30+ years. The 2022 is based on 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and 4% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, aged 18-20 months in 80% new oak.HK$8,135.00 -
(1x75cl) 2022Jeb Dunnuck (100)
Reminding me of the 2018 (as well as the 2009), if not slightly more concentrated, the 2022 Château Léoville Poyferré is one of the most opulent and flamboyant wines out of the Médoc in 2022, and it has incredible intensity while staying light on its feet and graceful. Its dense, glass-staining purple hue is followed by a sensational perfume of crème de cassis, graphite, darker chocolate, scorched earth, and flowers. Full-bodied on the palate, it brings extravagant levels of fruit as well as a seamless mouthfeel, beautifully integrated oak, tannins, and acidity, no hard edges, and a gorgeous finish. It shines even today, yet it has beautiful underlying structure and will evolve gracefully over the coming 30+ years. The 2022 is based on 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and 4% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, aged 18-20 months in 80% new oak.HK$1,120.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
Reminding me of the 2018 (as well as the 2009), if not slightly more concentrated, the 2022 Château Léoville Poyferré is one of the most opulent and flamboyant wines out of the Médoc in 2022, and it has incredible intensity while staying light on its feet and graceful. Its dense, glass-staining purple hue is followed by a sensational perfume of crème de cassis, graphite, darker chocolate, scorched earth, and flowers. Full-bodied on the palate, it brings extravagant levels of fruit as well as a seamless mouthfeel, beautifully integrated oak, tannins, and acidity, no hard edges, and a gorgeous finish. It shines even today, yet it has beautiful underlying structure and will evolve gracefully over the coming 30+ years. The 2022 is based on 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and 4% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, aged 18-20 months in 80% new oak.HK$5,025.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (98)
Brilliant Poyferré, deep ruby colour, setting the scene for ink, campfire, espresso, mint, cassis and damson. Concentrated but with a delicious balance, this feels effortless and is truly a wine for Bordeaux lovers to seek out. Harvest September 14 to October 5. 80% new oak, 52hl/h yields, biggest since 2004, with more 1st wine than usual because the old Cabernet Sauvignon plots gave quality and quantity (after three low quantity years). Alix Combes new vineyard manager, replacing long time manager Bruno Clenet.HK$3,440.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (98)
Brilliant Poyferré, deep ruby colour, setting the scene for ink, campfire, espresso, mint, cassis and damson. Concentrated but with a delicious balance, this feels effortless and is truly a wine for Bordeaux lovers to seek out. Harvest September 14 to October 5. 80% new oak, 52hl/h yields, biggest since 2004, with more 1st wine than usual because the old Cabernet Sauvignon plots gave quality and quantity (after three low quantity years). Alix Combes new vineyard manager, replacing long time manager Bruno Clenet.HK$3,060.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)
The 2019 Pavillon de Léoville-Poyferré is fabulous. Rich, sensual and inviting, the Pavillon wraps around the palate with soft curves, silky tannins and exceptional balance. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this wine. And why wait? The 2019 is primed to deliver immense pleasure today. Bright red-toned fruit and lifted floral notes linger on the soft, caressing finish. Since 2019, the Pavillon has been a true second wine of Léoville-Poyferré, whereas in the past it was the second wine of both Léoville-Poyferré and Moulin Riche.HK$2,145.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (93)
Ripe currants, cassis, graphite, leafy herbs, and smoky notes all emerge from the 2022 Pavillon De Léoville Poyferré, a full-bodied, rich, layered mouth-filling second wine that has ripe tannins, terrific overall balance, and a great finish. Based on 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, coming primarily from younger vines, it should keep nicely through 2042.HK$1,520.00
