Appellations

Leoville Poyferre 2014

St Julien, Second Growth

GBP Price: Size Quantities Units status Actions
Tasting Notes

The 2014 Leoville-Poyferre was surprisingly backward and tight on the nose (usually it is the most expressive and generous Léoville in its youth). The precision and focus is intact, but it is broody and sultry at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with firm structure, which suggests that it has turned volte face since its opulent showing in barrel. Overall, this comes across as perhaps a slightly more austere and masculine wine from Didier Cuvelier, though that is not a criticism, just an observation. I would like to see a little more persistence on the finish, but the tidings bode well for this mercurial and fascinating Léoville-Poyferre. I can see it improving with bottle age, hence the plus sign against my score. (93+)

Score: 93 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2021-2045 Date: 31 March 2017

The Château Léoville-Poyferré 2014 is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot picked between 1 and 14 October, a little later than some of its Saint Julien neighbors. It has one of the most opulent set of aromatics of the appellation, with crème de cassis, boysenberry jam and macerated small dark cherries - an extravagant bouquet in the context of the growing season. The palate is full-bodied with great density and power. There is a lot of weight in this Saint Julien, spicy in the mouth with a healthy pinch of white pepper towards the finish that feels long in the mouth, although I would like to see more finesse coming through by the time of bottling. As usual, this is one of the most decadent Saint Julien wines, but one that is well-crafted by Didier Cuvelier. Give this several years in bottle.

Score: 91 - 93 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2021-2040 Date: 01 April 2015

A ripe, generous and substantial wine for this appellation with some real concentration, a solid core of ripe tannins and enough acidity to carry the long, savory finish. Needs four to five years to show its true potential. A beauty. Try in 2022.

Score: 94 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 13 February 2017

Very fine and pretty with blueberry, mineral and hazelnut character. Full body, succulent fruits and tannins, as well as a long finish. Savory. Very polished as always.

Score: 93 - 94 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 27 March 2015

Very pure, with a beautiful beam of violet and plum sauce carried by a chiseled graphite spine. Gorgeous anise and roasted apple wood notes are inlaid seamlessly on the finish. Shows ample grip and drive. Rock-solid. Best from 2020 through 2030.J.M

Score: 93 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2020-2030 Date: 05 January 2017

Very stylish, with blackberry, black cherry and black currant fruit already melded together with subtle charcoal and ganache notes. Offers a velvety feel, but isn't shy on grip or depth. This is sneakily long. A lovely showing.

Score: 92 - 95 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Date: 01 April 2015

An elegant nose of fresh black fruit and pencil shavings. Exciting in the mouth with a tight core of with cool clean cassis - plenty of concentration - and energy. The finish is long and pure with a tang of vanilla.

Score: 93 - 95 Albany Vintners, - Date: 24 April 2015

Dark crimson. Meaty with a note of treacle on the nose. Simpler than some. Relatively round and approachable but with lovely balance. The fruit almost hides the tannins - which are certainly there. Just a little spindly on the end. But very appetising. Rather glorious really. (16.5++ Points)

Score: 16 - 17 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2024-2038 Date: 15 April 2015

The 2014 Léoville Poyferré is impressive. A big, broad-shouldered St. Julien, the 2014 blossoms in the glass with superb depth and richness. Dark red cherry, plum, spice, menthol, crushed flowers, herbs and leather are some of the notes that burst onto the palate in an energetic, tightly wound Poyferré. The 2014 finishes with notable depth and huge, explosive intensity, all of which suggest it will require considerable cellaring. This is without question one of the stars of the vintage.

Score: 92 - 95 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Date: 01 April 2015