CHATEAU LEOVILLE-POYFERRE 2eme Grand Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 2000 Bottle (losn)

Description

IN BRIEF
Château Léoville-Poyferré 2000 is an outstanding vintage from this esteemed 2ème Grand Cru Classé estate in the Saint-Julien appellation of Bordeaux, known for producing exceptional wines. This vintage showcases a blend predominantly composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, along with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, all benefiting from excellent growing conditions. The wine displays a deep, dark ruby colour and offers inviting aromas of blackcurrants, cherries, and plums, complemented by notes of cedar, tobacco, and subtle spices. Rated 97 points by The Wine Advocate for its plush, opulent style, 93 points by James Suckling for its impressive freshness, and 92 points by Decanter for its rich complexity, this wine is perfect for pairing with roasted meats and rich dishes while showing great aging potential.

ABOUT THIS WINE
Château Léoville-Poyferré 2000 is a celebrated vintage from this esteemed 2ème Grand Cru Classé estate located in the Saint-Julien appellation of Bordeaux. Known for its consistent production of high-quality wines, Léoville-Poyferré has solidified its reputation as one of the leading châteaux in the region.

The 2000 vintage is particularly remarkable due to the excellent growing conditions that year, producing grapes with exceptional ripeness and concentration. The blend typically consists of a majority of Cabernet Sauvignon, along with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, which contributes to the wine's complexity and depth.

In the glass, the 2000 Léoville-Poyferré displays a deep, dark ruby colour with garnet reflections, indicating its maturity. The nose is inviting, offering a rich array of aromas that include blackcurrants, blackberries, and plums, complemented by notes of cedar, tobacco, and subtle spices. The aromatic profile reveals the influence of oak aging, with hints of vanilla and roasted coffee adding to the wine's allure.

On the palate, the 2000 vintage is expected to be full-bodied and structured, showcasing the refined tannins that Léoville-Poyferré is known for. Flavours of dark fruits intermingle with layers of chocolate, leather, and earthy nuances, creating a beautifully balanced experience. The wine's vibrant acidity gives it freshness, enhancing the overall elegance. The finish is long and satisfying, reflecting the wine's depth and complexity.

This vintage pairs excellently with a variety of dishes, including roasted meats, game, and rich sauces, complementing the flavours beautifully.

In summary, Château Léoville-Poyferré 2000 is a superb expression of Bordeaux winemaking, embodying the elegance and craftsmanship that defines this renowned estate. With its captivating aromas, rich fruit character, and refined structure, this vintage is a prized choice for collectors and wine enthusiasts, promising an exquisite tasting experience that can be enjoyed now or aged further for years to come.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 97 points
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Drink Date: 2010 - 2035
The plushest, most ostentatious and dramatic of all the Leovilles in 2000, this wine is already sumptuous, displaying some nuances in its huge nose of vanilla bean, black chocolate, jammy black cherries, cassis, and graphite in a flamboyant style. Opulent, savory, rich, and full-bodied, it is a head-turning, prodigious wine and a complete contrast to the extracted behemoth of Leoville Barton and the backward, classic Leoville Las Cases. The Poyferre’s low acidity, sweet tannin and an already gorgeous mouthfeel make it a wine to drink now as well as over the next 25 or more years.
Published: Jun 29, 2010

JAMES SUCKLING 93 points
Thursday, Dec 29, 2011
This has spices, meat, dark and ripe fruits, and a light sultana character. Full-bodied, tight and firm with a beautiful freshness and great length with notes of licorice and citrus skin. Fascinating stuff. Leave this alone for at least a couple of years. Should be better after 2012.

DECANTER 92 points
Tasted by: Jane Anson
(at Château Léoville Poyferré, 14 Jun 2018)
Part of Tasting Léoville Poyferré wines from 1961 to 2016
Drinking Window: 2018 - 2036
This wine is clearly the product of an extremely generous and successful vintage. Even if the following year is where I might go for finesse and staying power, the beauty of the 2000 is instead found in the fullness of the fruit and its frank expression. There are touches of exotic cinnamon, rosemary and grilled almond notes, deepened with layers of olive paste. Great quality, it lingers on the palate. One of the signatures of Château Léoville Poyferré is its willingness to go all out to make wines that are generous and that make you smile; you get the sense with this wine that they enjoy their good fortune and hope that you do too.

VINOUS 92 points
Drinking Window 2022 - 2042
From: Léoville-Poyferré 1936-2018 (Sep 2022)
The 2000 Léoville-Poyferré was poured blind at Medlar restaurant, though it was pretty easy to single out. This bottle is slightly higher-toned than the previous, black fruit, melted tar and a touch of roasted chestnut, maybe displaying just a touch more Brettanomyces. The palate is medium-bodied with good depth and concentration, white pepper and thyme lending more complexity towards the finish. It does not possess the precision that has defined recent vintages, yet it has an almost bucolic charm and the substance to suggest it will give another two decades of drinking pleasure. Tasted at Medlar in London. - By Neal Martin on June 2021

JANCIS ROBINSON 17.5 points
Mid crimson with a bit of evolution. Fragrant. Much less concentrated than the Barton but an attractive expression of the vintage and appellation. Dry overall and quite sinewy. You could start to drink this even though it is far from its apogee. (JR)

WINE ENTHUSIAST 89 points
A solid wine, well structured, with soft but supple tannins that frame a core of blackberry, cassis, toast, coffee, anise and herb notes. The finish has a hint of sage and thyme, ending with moderate length. Good Bordeaux from a good year. Kosher

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ABOUT CHATEAU LEOVILLE-POYFERRE
Château Léoville Poyferré is a prestigious winery located in the Saint-Julien appellation of Bordeaux, France. Historically considered the least recognised of the three Léoville estates, Léoville Poyferré has undergone a remarkable transformation, particularly since the late 20th century. Owned by the Cuvelier family since 1921, the estate began to rise in prominence under the leadership of Didier Cuvelier, who took the helm in the 1970s, alongside renowned consultant winemaker Michel Rolland, who joined in 1995.

Spanning 80 hectares, the vineyards of Léoville Poyferré are planted predominantly with Cabernet Sauvignon (65%), followed by Merlot (25%), Petit Verdot (8%), and Cabernet Franc (2%). The estate's diverse varietal composition, combined with the terroir of gravelly soils and a temperate maritime climate, creates exceptional growing conditions for producing high-quality grapes.

Traditionally known for producing some of the softest and most supple wines among the Léoville estates, Léoville Poyferré's recent vintages have gained added weight and complexity. This evolution is attributed to later and riper grape harvests and increased exposure to new oak during maturation. These changes have resulted in richer, fuller-bodied wines that compete with the best of St-Julien.

Château Léoville Poyferré is classified as a 2ème Cru Classé and offers exceptional value in the world of fine Bordeaux wines, often available at more accessible prices compared to its peers. The wines are characterised by their depth, elegance, and vibrant fruit profile, making them highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs alike.

As Léoville Poyferré continues to evolve, it has firmly established itself as one of the finest estates in Saint-Julien, producing wines that embody both tradition and modernity while remaining true to their heritage.