2018 Chateau Leoville Poyferre Saint-Julien

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  • 100 Point, Saint-Julien
  • "A Legendary Wine in the Making" ~Jeb Dunnuck
  • 97 Point Vintage, Wine Enthusiast
  • Second Classified Growth
  • Saint-Julien Benchmark & Flagship Estate
  • Free Shipping on 6 or More Bottles

About the Wine

"Léoville Poyferré is now at the top of its game" ~Decanter

The history of Léoville dates back to 1638, recounting the complex tale of men and women, family inheritances, and property divisions. Leoville Poyferre was one of the first Chateaux in Bordeaux to begin producing wine in the Medoc, along with Chateau Margaux and Chateau Latour. In 1855, Château Léoville Poyferré became a Second Grand Cru Classé.

When owner Alexandre de Gascq died Chateau Leoville was one of the biggest estates in Bordeaux at 200 hectares. The estate was divided among his children, his son Pierre Jean de Las Cases receiving a share which ultimately became Chateau Leoville Las Cases. A portion of Chateau Leoville Las Cases was sold to the Barton Family and became Chateau Leoville Barton. The Chateau's current title was established in 1840 when Baron Jean-Marie de Poyferré added his name to Léoville, thus the Chateau was known as Leoville Poyferre.

Today the Chateau is owned by the Cuvelier who has been working in the Bordeaux wine trade since 1804. Leoville Poyferre has a long history of innovation and modernization. They were the first Chateau to trellis their vines using pine stakes and the first to rinse their barrels with sulfur to protect the wines from spoiling during the aging process. Since 1998, this Château's winemaking is overseen by renowned winemaker Michel Rolland. Today Chateau Leoville Poyferre is one of the most exciting Chateaux in Saint-Julien and all of Bordeaux. 

Nothing tells a greater story than a bottle of wine. The vines take root in the soils providing the immutable backdrop, endowing the wines with their unique qualities. Léoville Poyferré is anchored in one of the most intimate appellations of the Médoc: Saint-Julien. Of the three Léovilles, Poyferré’s wines are the most voluptuous, generally carrying a greater percentage of Merlot in the blend, and the only ones to use Petit Verdot.

Extreme weather conditions rocked the 2018 vintage between alternating periods of humidity and dryness. At the heart of the emblematic graves of Saint-Julien, the vine was able to show us, once again, the magical effect of terroir. From this extraordinary equation, a vintage is born that sings harmoniously with elegance, complexity, and balance.

Tasting Notes: 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. The 2018 vintage of Léoville Poyferré has a deep garnet color with purple highlights. Beautifully shiny and limpid, this wine displays a youthful color. Juicy, generous aromas of red and black fruits burst from the glass, accompanied by notes of oak and plenty of freshness. On the palate, the wine takes on a lot of breadth while retaining its juicy character. Suave, aromatic notes of black fruits and oak persist. The tannins are still quite present and will develop a lovely patina with a little aging. The powerful, dense finish lingers on and on. 2018 is an exceptional vintage and affirms its immense aging potential.

Reviews

Every bit as good as the 2009, and I think better than the 2010 and 2016, the 2018 Château Léoville Poyferré is a total thrill that tops out my scale. Based on 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, its dense purple hue is followed by an incredible, full-bodied monster of a wine that, despite massive amounts of fruit, tannin's, and extract, still stays weightless and ethereal, with incredible purity. Loaded with notions of crème de cassis, spring flowers, tobacco, violets, charcoal, and cedar pencil, it's extraordinarily concentrated, flawlessly balanced, and has a finish that won't quit. This is a legendary wine in the making. Give bottles 7-8 years, a decade would be even better, and it will keep for 40-50 years. Hats off to the Cuvelier family for another extraordinary wine! ~100 Jeb Dunnuck

This is so powerful and dense with amazing tannin quality that reminds me of dense clouds, because they are agile and light. Multilayered. Extremely long, too. Punchy! One of the best wines I have ever had from here. ~98 James Suckling

Waves of warmed cassis, mocha and warm tar aromas lead the way, while the core of macerated plum, blackberry and blueberry fruit waits its turn, showing admirable breadth and depth when it arrives, with roasted apple wood, bramble and cast iron buried deeply through the finish. This is a powerfully rendered wine with a cashmere scarf as accent. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2024 through 2040. ~97 Wine Spectator (#7 of Top 100 Wines of 2021)

A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc, aged in 80% new oak barriques, the 2018 Léoville Poyferré comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant scents of Morello cherries, plum preserves, and blackberry pie, giving way to nuances of cedar chest, unsmoked cigars, vanilla pod, and sassafras, plus a waft of crushed rocks. The palate is full-bodied, rich, and decadent, delivering hedonic black fruits and lots of spicy accents with a velvety texture and seamless freshness, finishing long and satisfyingly savory. This is a very impressive showing that is delicious out of the gate but has the backbone to give a good 30 years or more of pleasure. ~97 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Léoville-Poyferré is sensational in 2018. There's not much more to say than that. A wine of explosive power and intensity, the 2018 dazzles from start to finish. To be sure, the 2018 is racy and opulent, but all the elements come together so effortlessly. Bright red-toned fruit, mocha, pine, and wild flowers all open with a bit of coaxing. The new oak is a bit prominent at this stage, but that will be less of an issue over time. ~97 Vinous Media

Richly dense and impressively concentrated, this is a powerful wine. Swathes of black fruits show off the Cabernet structure and dark, ageworthy character of this wine. Drink the wine from 2027. *Cellar Selection* ~97 Wine Enthusiast

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