Leoville Poyferre 2016

St Julien, Second Growth

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Tasting Notes
The 2016 Léoville Poyferré is blessed with an outstanding bouquet of blackberry, cassis, pressed violets and just a touch of hung game/dried blood in the background; this is very impressive in terms of intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and a fine bead of acidity, very harmonious if needing a little more grip and matière toward the finish. Looking back, I was mean in my score - it just needed more time to show its flamboyant touch. Score: 94 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2023-2048 01 August 2020
The 2016 Léoville-Poyferré has a pH of 3.66 and an IPT level of 88. It seems to have tightened up since en primeur, now offering intense blackberry, bilberry and veins of blue fruit; there’s a little gloss here but the terroir comes through. The smooth, sensual palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannin, very well-judged acidity and great substance and style on the finish. Undoubtedly, this is one of the most sophisticated Poyferré in recent years. 13.6% alcohol. Score: 96 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2023-2048 01 January 2019
The 2016 Leoville-Poyferre is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Didier Cuvelier told me that color leeched out naturally and he conducted an 8 day pre-fermentation maceration. Matured in 80% new oak with some malolactic in barrel, it has a typical bouquet for this estate with opulent but neatly controlled, billowing scents of black cherries, black plum, crème de cassis and violets. The palate is beautifully balanced with fine tannin, a killer line of acidity and perhaps one of the most harmonious Poyferré that I have encountered at this juncture. It just glides across the mouth and slips down the throat with consummate ease. Superb. Score: 95 - 97 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2024-2060 28 April 2017
The 2016 Léoville-Poyferré is fabulous. Rich, ample and dramatic in bearing, the 2016 possesses striking intensity and vertical lift. The tannins certainly need at least a few years in bottle to soften, but there is so much to look forward to. Graphite, menthol, lavender and licorice complement the inky blue/purplish fruit beautifully. The bottled wine has a bit more Cabernet Sauvignon and less Merlot than the en primeur sample. I tasted the 2016 three times. It's least favorable showing was at the château. For readers and proprietors who think wines always taste better on site...they don't. Score: 97 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2026-2046 01 January 2019
A huge, soaring wine, the 2016 Léoville-Poyferré is powerful, vivid and captivating. Vertical tannins and massive concentration belie the wine's 13.6% alcohol. The more virile, brooding side of Saint-Julien comes through in this decidedly potent wine. In 2016, many Saint-Juliens possess incredible richness and voluptuousness. Léoville-Poyferré is arguably the most tannic and brooding of the wines of the appellation. I suspect the 2016 will take many years to be at its very best. A rush of dark fruit, leather, smoke, tobacco and chocolate add the final shades of nuance. Score: 94 - 97 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com 25 April 2017
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Léoville Poyferré hits the ground running with intense cassis, violets, dark chocolate, menthol and fragrant earth notions complemented by nuances of cigar box and smoked meats. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is charged with energetic, super intense black fruit and floral layers, beautifully supported with super firm, ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness. This liquid is simply alive in the mouth, culminating in an epically long finish that will leave your mouth practically tingling. WOW! Score: 97 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2021-2050 30 November 2018
This is always a big, dramatic wine which does well in big vintages. Right through the palate you feel the beautiful architecture, and the beauty of 2016 means that the final impression is of a sophisticated but supremely balanced wine with a modern construction. Damsons and bilberries abound, with clear tension where the skin of the wine is pulled tightly over the drum. It is less of a 'classical' St-Julien than some this year, but it is entirely of itself, and excellent. The blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, with a full 55% of the overall production making it into the grand vin, which has 3.66pH. Michel Rolland has been consultant for many years, working closely alongside owner Didier Cuvelier. Score: 96 Decanter, - Maturity: 2027-2050 20 April 2017
60% CS, 33% M, 5%PV, 2%CF. Ageing in 85% new oak barrels. Deeply coloured, upfront and rich on the nose with notes of savoury oak. In the palate there is plenty of intense black fruit liqueur and espresso that masks the fruit a little. Long and polished. Resolutely international style of Saint Julien. Score: 93 - 95 Albany Vintners, - 19 April 2017
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Deep purple. Very deep. Really rich and winning. Much more mouth-filling than the other wines from this stable. Really fresh but broad and ripe. Great freshness. Long and beautifully balanced. 13.6% Score: 18 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2027-2045 18 April 2017
The deep well of gorgeous cassis, blueberry paste and blackberry puree flavors will carry this for the long haul. Shows a terrific graphite underpinning and a flash of cold charcoal. This is a big one. Score: 95 - 98 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 06 April 2017
The buildup on the palate is impressive with blackberry and blueberry character. Plenty of currants, too. Full-bodied, linear and tight. Racy tannins and a long finish. Shows tension, depth, real raciness and pure finesse. A combination of the best from both 2009 and 2010. Score: 95 - 96 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 24 March 2017

Tasting Notes

The 2016 Léoville Poyferré is blessed with an outstanding bouquet of blackberry, cassis, pressed violets and just a touch of hung game/dried blood in the background; this is very impressive in terms of intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and a fine bead of acidity, very harmonious if needing a little more grip and matière toward the finish. Looking back, I was mean in my score - it just needed more time to show its flamboyant touch.

Score: 94

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2023-2048 01 August 2020

The 2016 Léoville-Poyferré has a pH of 3.66 and an IPT level of 88. It seems to have tightened up since en primeur, now offering intense blackberry, bilberry and veins of blue fruit; there’s a little gloss here but the terroir comes through. The smooth, sensual palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannin, very well-judged acidity and great substance and style on the finish. Undoubtedly, this is one of the most sophisticated Poyferré in recent years. 13.6% alcohol.

Score: 96

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2023-2048 01 January 2019

The 2016 Leoville-Poyferre is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Didier Cuvelier told me that color leeched out naturally and he conducted an 8 day pre-fermentation maceration. Matured in 80% new oak with some malolactic in barrel, it has a typical bouquet for this estate with opulent but neatly controlled, billowing scents of black cherries, black plum, crème de cassis and violets. The palate is beautifully balanced with fine tannin, a killer line of acidity and perhaps one of the most harmonious Poyferré that I have encountered at this juncture. It just glides across the mouth and slips down the throat with consummate ease. Superb.

Score: 95 - 97

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2024-2060 28 April 2017

The 2016 Léoville-Poyferré is fabulous. Rich, ample and dramatic in bearing, the 2016 possesses striking intensity and vertical lift. The tannins certainly need at least a few years in bottle to soften, but there is so much to look forward to. Graphite, menthol, lavender and licorice complement the inky blue/purplish fruit beautifully. The bottled wine has a bit more Cabernet Sauvignon and less Merlot than the en primeur sample. I tasted the 2016 three times. It's least favorable showing was at the château. For readers and proprietors who think wines always taste better on site...they don't.

Score: 97

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2026-2046 01 January 2019

A huge, soaring wine, the 2016 Léoville-Poyferré is powerful, vivid and captivating. Vertical tannins and massive concentration belie the wine's 13.6% alcohol. The more virile, brooding side of Saint-Julien comes through in this decidedly potent wine. In 2016, many Saint-Juliens possess incredible richness and voluptuousness. Léoville-Poyferré is arguably the most tannic and brooding of the wines of the appellation. I suspect the 2016 will take many years to be at its very best. A rush of dark fruit, leather, smoke, tobacco and chocolate add the final shades of nuance.

Score: 94 - 97

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com 25 April 2017

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Léoville Poyferré hits the ground running with intense cassis, violets, dark chocolate, menthol and fragrant earth notions complemented by nuances of cigar box and smoked meats. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is charged with energetic, super intense black fruit and floral layers, beautifully supported with super firm, ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness. This liquid is simply alive in the mouth, culminating in an epically long finish that will leave your mouth practically tingling. WOW!

Score: 97

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2021-2050 30 November 2018

This is always a big, dramatic wine which does well in big vintages. Right through the palate you feel the beautiful architecture, and the beauty of 2016 means that the final impression is of a sophisticated but supremely balanced wine with a modern construction. Damsons and bilberries abound, with clear tension where the skin of the wine is pulled tightly over the drum. It is less of a 'classical' St-Julien than some this year, but it is entirely of itself, and excellent. The blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, with a full 55% of the overall production making it into the grand vin, which has 3.66pH. Michel Rolland has been consultant for many years, working closely alongside owner Didier Cuvelier.

Score: 96

Decanter, - Maturity: 2027-2050 20 April 2017

60% CS, 33% M, 5%PV, 2%CF. Ageing in 85% new oak barrels. Deeply coloured, upfront and rich on the nose with notes of savoury oak. In the palate there is plenty of intense black fruit liqueur and espresso that masks the fruit a little. Long and polished. Resolutely international style of Saint Julien.

Score: 93 - 95

Albany Vintners, - 19 April 2017

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Deep purple. Very deep. Really rich and winning. Much more mouth-filling than the other wines from this stable. Really fresh but broad and ripe. Great freshness. Long and beautifully balanced. 13.6%

Score: 18

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2027-2045 18 April 2017

The deep well of gorgeous cassis, blueberry paste and blackberry puree flavors will carry this for the long haul. Shows a terrific graphite underpinning and a flash of cold charcoal. This is a big one.

Score: 95 - 98

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 06 April 2017

The buildup on the palate is impressive with blackberry and blueberry character. Plenty of currants, too. Full-bodied, linear and tight. Racy tannins and a long finish. Shows tension, depth, real raciness and pure finesse. A combination of the best from both 2009 and 2010.

Score: 95 - 96

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 24 March 2017

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