Château Léoville-Poyferré 2012 - Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

The most complete of the 2012s tasted at the blind tasting, with remarkable smoothness for the year and racy, melted, harmonious, persistent tannins. More diversified than 2013.

About the domain :

The cru's privileged position is opposite the best parcels of Léoville-Las Cases and in line with those of Pichon-Longueville Baron. The wine reflects this position perfectly, regularly one of the most powerful yet complex and harmonious in the Médoc. A slightly higher percentage of Merlot than the other two Léovilles influences its slightly rounder texture. Didier Cuvelier is taking semi-retirement, but will obviously continue to oversee the continuity of the excellence he has established. Pavillon-de-poyferré, now the château's true second wine, is progressing, as is Moulin-riche, now from a district of its own, a little like Clos-du-Marquis in relation to Léoville's grand vin.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

A deep red with ruby highlights, the color seems to announce the intensity of the wine. In fact, the bouquet is both powerful and complex: starting with toasty scents, it continues with delicious aromas of spices and berries (blackcurrant, blackberry, cherry). In the same vein, the palate reveals itself to be seductive and silky, underpinned by tannins of real finesse and a mellow woodiness that lets the grapes express themselves. A very fine Saint Julien for laying down.

About the domain :

Like the other two crus born of the former Domaine de Léoville, Poyferré, named after the Comte de Poyferré, from a noble house of Armagnac, who inherited the vineyard from his wife at the time of the split, benefits from a choice terroir. This 80-hectare terroir is spread throughout the commune of Saint-Julien: to the east, near the Gironde, gravel and brown pebbles; to the west, black sands. These assets have been developed since 1979 by Didier Cuvelier, whose family, former wine merchants in Lille, acquired the estate in 1920.

Guide des Vins Gault & Millau

About the wine:

Fruity, very blackcurrant and blackberry, with a lovely aromatic framework of rose and flowers, and present woodiness. On the palate, the woodiness comes out a little, the tannins are firm and dense but well in place, and the whole remains balanced. Long, fruity finish with a hint of oak.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the domain :

Since the end of the 70s and the arrival of Didier Cuvelier, this second growth has been completely renovated. Numerous plots have been replanted and the winemaking equipment updated. The vines are now of a respectable age, and the cru is in the race for excellence in an appellation with many challengers. The wines have a vigor and fullness that place them at the top of the appellation. The terroir lends Poyferré its depth of color, its ample, nervous flesh, its broad, spicy bouquet, and its potential for longevity.

Wine Spectator