CHATEAU LEOVILLE-POYFERRE 2eme Grand Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 2022 Bottle

Description

Château Léoville Poyferré, a prestigious 2ème Cru Classé estate in Saint-Julien, has made remarkable strides in quality under the guidance of the Cuvelier family. A blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon and 34% Merlot, the 2022 vintage showcases elegance and depth, earning 96 points from both Decanter and James Suckling. James Suckling emphasizes its solid structure, with alluring notes of blackberry, blackcurrant, and lavender, while Decanter highlights the wine’s supple core of red and black fruit, enhanced by juicy acidity and fine tannins, delivering a powerful yet refined experience. The Wine Advocate awarded it 94-96 points, appreciating the aromas of crème de cassis and cherries, combined with a medium to full-bodied, rich palate. With aging potential from 2027 to 2048, this wine promises a sophisticated journey of flavours and finesse.

*****

Château Léoville Poyferré was the Léoville that got left in the starting blocks in terms of reputation and in the quality of its wines.

Léoville Poyferré has been owned by the Cuvelier family (who also own Château Le Crock) since 1921, yet it was not until the 1970s, when Didier Cuvelier took control at the château, that quality began to improve. In the last 20 years, Didier, with the assistance of Michel Rolland since 1995, has turned Léoville-Poyferré into one of St-Julien's finest estates.

Léoville Poyferré has 80 hectares of vineyards planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (65%), Merlot (25%), Petit Verdot (8%) and Cabernet Franc (2%).

Léoville Poyferré traditionally produced the softest and most supple wine of the 3 Léovilles, yet in the last decade the wines have definitely put on weight and body. This is largely due to the grapes being harvested riper and later and because of the increased exposure to new oak in the maturation process.

Now up with the best of the St-Juliens but still selling at non-scary prices. Léoville Poyferré is classified as a 2ème Cru Classé.

VINOUS 96+ points
The 2022 Léoville-Poyferré showed a lot of potential from barrel and it does so now in bottle. Interestingly, it bursts out of the blocks aromatically for a minute then settles down, gaining delineation and refinement. It is less full-throttle than other vintages and neatly hides the 14.24% alcohol. The palate is medium-bodied with a velvety-smooth entry. There is such purity here, with fine-boned tannins and nicely judged acidity, all harmonious with a peacock's tail on the finish. Controlled from start to finish, if you are a fan of "LP," you're gonna love the 2022. - Neal Martin

DECANTER 96 points
Drinking Window: 2027 - 2048 - Another excellent showcasse for this estate run by Sara Lecompte Cuvelier. Supple, lively, fresh and round, a nice controlled core of red and black fruit - blackcurrants, cherries and violets with juicy acidity and lean tannins that are fine and well integrated. This feels powerful and concentrated no doubt but the strength comes underneath the fruit and acidity, like a creeping tiger waiting to pounce. Lovely frame and execution, feels on the more opulent and potent side but the acidity and tannin definition is brilliant and this has a really drinkable and moreish quality. 4% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 3.87pH. 9% press wine. A yield of 33.4hl/ha. 75% grand vin production. Julien Viaud consultant. Tasted three times and was impressed each time. Ageing 18-20 months in French oak barrels, 80% new, 20% second fill. - Georgina Hindle Apr 23

JAMES SUCKLING 96-97 Points
6 Apr, 2023 – A very solid LP with black berry, blackcurrant, crushed stone and lavender character. Full and really well structured with a linear length to it. Focused and so polished. Thoughtful. 58% cabernet sauvignon, 34% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot.

THE WINE ADVOCATE (94 - 96) points
The 2022 Léoville Poyferré has turned out very nicely, offering up aromas of crème de cassis, cherries, violets and creamy new oak, followed by a medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy palate that's ripe but lively, with supple tannins and a long, vanillin-inflected finish. This year, the team began picking their Merlot comparatively early and didn't perform a saignée (tank bleed), given the natural concentration of the vintage, though it remains the most flamboyant and demonstrative of the three Léoville estates, seeing some 80% new oak with malolactic fermentation in barrique for the new barrels. It will be a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. - William Kelley, 28th Apr 2023

JANCIS ROBINSON 17.5 points
Even darker than the Pavillon de Léoville Poyferré and with even greater intensity of pure cassis fruit. Even though there is a lot more new oak, the fruit shines through. Here there's another dimension that is dark and almost stony/savoury. A big step up from the Pavillon in both power and richness but also in refinement, particularly in the text. Dense, chalky and almost-caressing tannins that need time to become finer and fresher as the spicy oak recedes. Needs time but very promising. (JH)