Professional reviews
Robert Parker (96)
The 2019 Léoville Poyferré is showing very well in bottle, wafting from the glass with aromas of crème de cassis and wild berries mingled with notions of licorice, loamy soil, cigar wrapper and smoke. Full-bodied, velvety and polished, it's broad and enveloping, with an ample core of fruit, ripe tannins and succulent acids, concluding with a long, precise finish. Invariably the most sumptuous of the three Léovilles, featuring some 35% Merlot, the 2019 is a terrific effort that will offer a wide drinking window.
James Suckling (95)
Blackcurrant, wet-earth with fresh black-mushroom aromas. Some chocolate, too. Full-bodied with layers of beautiful, ripe fruit and creamy tannins. It’s chewy and focused. Impressive balance.
Jancis Robinson (17.50)
67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot.
Inky crimson. Seductively dark and rich aroma, ripe but not sweet-smelling until it starts to open in the glass. This has great depth of pure dark fruit but also quite a muscular structure, and all in balance. A big wine but balanced and so fresh. (JH)
Vinous (96)
The 2019 Léoville Poyferré is cut from the same cloth as the Ducru Beaucaillou, though without delivering quite the same panache. There is richness here, but it is contained at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins. Velvety smooth in texture, there is real finesse that becomes more apparent towards the finish that displays exquisite balance and wonderful length. The kind of wine that begs the response: more please. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.
Jeb Dunnuck (98)
The flagship 2019 Château Léoville Poyferré is based on 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot. It's one of the bigger, richer wines in the vintage and has a gorgeous, thrilling, full-bodied style as well as notes of crème de cassis, tobacco leaf, violets, and chocolate. While many estates seem to be playing it safe and focusing on so-called elegance and balance, I love that Poyferré continues to make a ripe, sexy, beautifully textured wine that always offers more opulence and sexiness than most in the vintage. Ranking with the crème de la crème of the vintage, this gorgeous Poyferré can be enjoyed any time over the coming 40-50 years. Bravo!
