Château Léoville-Poyferré Saint-Julien 2020 - 2nd Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

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 perfectly reflects this position, 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 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.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Deep purple-black in color, Léoville Poyferré 2020 bursts from the glass like an energetic young pup, delivering exuberant scents of crushed black cherries, juicy blackberries and warm cassis, with hints of clove, dark chocolate, lilac and tilled earth. The medium- to full-bodied palate is wonderfully luscious, offering bags of ripe black fruit with a backbone of seamless acidity, finishing on a long, spicy note. 2027-2052

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

About the domain :

Since the end of the 70's 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 full, nervous flesh, its broad, spicy bouquet, and its potential for longevity.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

Rich, luscious and full of dark plum and dark chocolate flavors, this wine shows great power and ageing potential. Its richness is balanced by fresh acidity, enabling it to age well.

Vinous A. Galloni

About the wine:

Léoville-Poyferré 2020 is just as impressive as it was in barrel. It has even gained in freshness and vivacity thanks to ageing. Black cherry, plum, mocha, graphite and a hint of French oak are just some of the many notes that imbue the 2020 with plenty of character. I particularly admire its vertical energy and well-rounded personality. In some recent vintages, Léoville-Poyferré has shown itself to be quite showy, but the 2020 also has a more nuanced side that is extremely seductive. 2028-2050

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Léoville Poyferré's bouquet sets the stage from the outset. It's clearly fearless, but knows how to manage itself so as not to reveal everything at once. It reveals a multitude of nuances, with notes of pepper, licorice and red and black berries, as well as classic markers such as graphite and cedar. I also note the subtle alliance between charm and power on the palate. I've often had the impression that you're walking on a tightrope at Poyferré, expecting the whole thing to tip over into sweetness... and yet it's always harmony that prevails. The wine has fine, dense, powdery tannins and, above all, a salutary freshness, perhaps one of the essential keys to a notion of balance. A powerful, serene, deep and long wine. In short, a great wine! 2027-4047

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is elegant, offering complexity, richness (in control) and depth. There are notes of fleshy blackberry, creamy strawberry and, more lightly, bursting blackcurrant, combined with hints of graphite, spices, ripe/pulpe berries, racy minerality, as well as discreet hints of nutmeg, saffron, a subtle touch of cuben pepper and an imperceptible hint of saltiness. The palate is fruity, fresh, elegant and offers delicacy (like a velvet glove), precision, a lovely airy character, an acidic frame, subtlety and a very fine/discreetly tight grain. On the palate, this wine expresses juicy/fresh blackberry, raspberry and more lightly ripe berry notes combined with touches of fresh vanilla, bright red berries, bright plum, fresh blond tobacco and a discreet hint of nutmeg, tonka bean, racy minerality/fresh gravel, fresh hazelnut, sweet spices and bourbon vanilla (in the background). The tannins are fine, elegant, precise, racy and offer a little mellowness. Lovely persistence. Very fine chewiness on the finish/persistence. Gourmet aftertaste/retro.

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

Even more beautiful in its magnificent black and gold bottle celebrating its owner's 100th birthday than it was in the barrel, the wine instantly catches the eye with its dark color and equally dark, fruity profile, centered on a core of blackberry, black cherry, black plum, spice, espresso and dark chocolate. The wine is deep, rich, concentrated and lush, but also fresh, silky, vibrant, long and concentrated. The finish reveals layers of sweet, ripe black and blue fruits, chocolate, espresso and a touch of spice at the end of the silky finish. Drink between 2026 and 2055.