Château Léoville Poyferré 2010

The wine out distances both Leoville Las Cases and Leoville Barton, but all three of them are compelling efforts. Full-bodied, dense purple in color, with floral notes intermixed with blackberries, cassis, graphite and spring flowers, this full-bodied, legendary effort is long and opulent, with wonderfully abundant yet sweet tannin, a skyscraper-like mid-palate and a thrilling, nearly one-minute finish. This spectacular effort from Poyferre that should drink well for 30+ years. Another spectacular wine from the Cuvelier family, Leoville Poyferre (along with Ducru Beaucaillou) may be one of the two best wines of St.-Julien year after year these days. This is a large estate, covering nearly 200 acres, and the final blend of the 2010 Leoville Poyferre is 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, a whopping 34% Merlot and the rest 7% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Drinking window: 2013 - 2043. 98+/100. Robert M. Parker, Jr. February 2023.

A wine of architectural strength and classical proportions, this has straight lines that mark the packed, concentrated fruits, which are sustained by its tannins. This is certainly the best wine that Léoville-Poyferré has produced, sumptuous while so finely structured. Roger Voss. January 2013.

L’énergie et le charme de Léoville Poyferré sont présents d’entrée ! Les épices douces du bouquet combinées à de classiques notes de graphite et de chocolat ouvrent de belles perspectives. L’énergie est également perceptible dès l’attaque grâce à la vivacité de la structure acide qui offre du tempérament et de l’avenir. Les tannins, parfaitement intégrés, apparaissent en fin de bouche et soulignent l’aptitude à la garde de ce 2010. Très convaincant dans son ensemble, le vin souligne qu’il n’est pas encore là où il peut, mais qu’il dispose de toutes les ressources nécessaires pour y aller ! 2023-2050. Mars 2020.

Couleur sombre et intense. Nez complexe, au fruité mûr et encore modéré dans son intensité. Fondant dès l'entrée en bouche, puis gras et juteux, le vin impressionne pour son caractère noble tant du côté du toucher que de la complexité aromatique (encre, mûre et cassis). Sans cesse enrobé, il s'achève puissant, long, sur une note d'épices et un grain de tannin fin. Wahou ! A consommer de préférence entre 2024 et 2050. Février 2014.

Cassis and blackberry are now in the ascendency, with slate and liquorice notes and some dried rosemary and sage herbs. One of the real rewards of following Bordeaux wine is experiencing exceptional vintages approach their drinking window. This is living up to its initial potential, it’s a broad-shouldered wine, with tannins that are still extremely present and fully in control, but they are starting to let the fruit take the lead. You couldn't be anywhere but Bordeaux with this wine. It has power, density but there’s also a pervasive freshness. Still a way to go before this is fully open and all bets are off for how long it lasts. 3% Cabernet Franc makes up the rest of the blend. Drinking window: 2020 - 2045. Jane Anson. June 2018.