2008 Château Léoville-Poyferré
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Tasting notes
The 2008 Léoville-Poyferré has long been one of the best Saint-Julien’s of the vintage. It has a vibrant, exquisitely delineated bouquet with precise black fruit, cedar and hints of liquorice that unfold seductively. The oak here is beautifully enmeshed. The palate is medium-bodied with melted tannins, a fine bead of acidity, very harmonious with pure red fruit laced with allspice, clove and bay leaf towards the finish. A brilliant wine from former winemaker Didier Cuvelier. Tasted at the Léoville-Poyferré vertical at the château with Sara Lecompte Cuvelier.
Critic scores
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Classic, balanced, restrained, everything is knitted down and concentrated, with tannins that have grain and grip and will age for decades. Liqourice, chocolate shavings, cassis, enjoyable wine with edges of gourmet richness that become clear with time in the glass. Clearly one of the best of a vintage that was difficult for much of the season but enjoyed late season sun - something that is clear through the harvest dates, that stretched from October 6 to 18 (exactly the same dates as followed at neighbouring Léoville Las Cases). 80% new oak.
Tasted blind. Luscious, inky, nice blend of ripe fruit and St-Julien structure. At a good point now. Polished. (JR)
About the producer
Ch. Léoville-Poyferré is a Second Growth Saint-Julien property that was once part of the same estate as Ch. Léoville Barton and Ch. Léoville Las Cases. It has the most complex and varied soils of the three and produces the most voluptuous, seductive style of wine.