Leoville Poyferre 2009

St Julien, Second Growth

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Tasting Notes
The 2009 Léoville Poyferré has an outstanding bouquet with blackberry, mint and cedar aromas, almost Pauillac in style, very dense and with plenty of horsepower. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, saturated tannins that frame layers of blackberry infused with graphite and white pepper. I love the symmetry and control of this Poyferré, in particular its persistent finish. This is a magnificent wine from Didier Cuvelier. Score: 96 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2021-2045 01 March 2019
A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc, this has a beautifully defined bouquet, adeptly containing the 13.9% alcohol. The Cabernets were picked between 2nd and the 12th October, dense black fruits, touches of date and fresh fig, certainly more exotic than the Leoville Barton tasted just before. With aeration, there is a hint of Japanese nori. The palate is rounded and voluptuous, very well balanced with smooth, sensuous tannins, the acidity less marked than Barton, caressing towards the lush, but delineated finish. A powerful, quite sexy Poyferre by Didier Cuvelier. Tasted March 2010. Score: 92 - 94 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 31 March 2010
One of the more flamboyant and sumptuous wines of the vintage, this inky/purple-colored St.-Julien reveals thrilling levels of opulence, richness and aromatic pleasures. A soaring bouquet of creme de cassis, charcoal, graphite and spring flowers is followed by a super-concentrated wine with silky tannins, stunning amounts of glycerin, a voluptuous, multilayered mouthfeel and nearly 14% natural alcohol. Displaying fabulous definition for such a big, plump, massive, concentrated effort, I suspect the tannin levels are high even though they are largely concealed by lavish amounts of fruit, glycerin and extract. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2040. Score: 100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2018-2040 01 March 2012
One of the more flamboyant and sumptuous wines of the vintage, this inky/purple-colored St.-Julien reveals thrilling levels of opulence, richness and aromatic pleasures. A soaring bouquet of crème de cassis, charcoal, graphite and spring flowers is followed by a super-concentrated wine with silky tannins, stunning amounts of glycerin, a voluptuous, multilayered mouthfeel and nearly 14% natural alcohol. Displaying fabulous definition for such a big, plump, massive, concentrated effort, I suspect the tannin levels are high even though they are largely concealed by lavish amounts of fruit, glycerin and extract. Score: 100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2018-2040 23 December 2011
One of the stars of the vintage, it will be interesting to see if Poyferre ultimately eclipses Las Cases as the finest of the three Leovilles. The 2009 is even better than the 2000, 2003, and 2005. Its inky/purple color precedes a wine filled with extraordinary opulence, voluptuous texture, and sweet tannin. It offers both intellectual and hedonistic pleasure with layer upon layer of ripe fruit. Yields were 43 hectoliters per hectare, the blend is more than two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot, and the natural alcohol is the highest ever measured at this estate, 13.95%. The high alcohol is not the least bit noticeable because of the extraordinary concentration and freshness possessed by most 2009s - a vintage characteristic that will serve these wines for decades to come. This is a wine to purchase by the case-load. It should drink well for 4-5 years. (Tasted three times.) Score: 97 - 100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2010-15 01 April 2010
Gorgeous aromas of blueberries and blackberries, with flowers and minerals. Full body, with silky tannins and a bright acidity on the finish. Tangy and chewy. Muscular. Try in 2018. Score: 96 James Suckling, - Maturity: 2018 15 February 2012
Wonderful aromas of currant and blackberry, with black olives. Full-bodied, with a mouth-coating palate of supersoft tannins that go on and on. Solid and polished. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. Score: 93 - 96 James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2010
Blackish crimson. Heady and well integrated on the nose. Then a teensy bit tarry. Not quite enough flesh, though no obvious excess of alcohol. (17- Points) Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2015-2025 12 May 2011
Very dark crimson. Very grown-up and intense. Luscious fruit and top quality savoury oak. Very sweet start - really quite unusually sweet for a St-Julien. Very complete, lip-smacking and satisfying. Glamorous, polished. Long. Quite complex. Score: 17 - 18 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2018-2032 01 April 2010
This second growth St Julien in a more forward style than the other two Leovilles, and with Michel Rolland overseeing the winemaking, Poyferre is now one of the most opulent, fleshy wines of the appellation. Stellar wines were made here in 1982, 1990 and more recently, 2003 and 2005. 60CS 29M 5CF 6PV. 42hl/ha. Opulent fruit on the nose with floral scents and a touch of vanilla cream nose. Very dense, solid blackcurrant core. Tons of energy and bounce - very refreshing. Intense toasty finish. Sexy and long. Score: 93 - 95 Albany Vintners, - 01 April 2010
Black red, rich and very impressive concentration of Cabernet cassis, robust and vigourous, seductively succulent fruit with superb natural tannin back up, a very exciting wine. Drink 2016-35. (18.5 points) Score: 18 - 19 Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2016-2035 01 April 2010

Tasting Notes

The 2009 Léoville Poyferré has an outstanding bouquet with blackberry, mint and cedar aromas, almost Pauillac in style, very dense and with plenty of horsepower. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, saturated tannins that frame layers of blackberry infused with graphite and white pepper. I love the symmetry and control of this Poyferré, in particular its persistent finish. This is a magnificent wine from Didier Cuvelier.

Score: 96

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2021-2045 01 March 2019

A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc, this has a beautifully defined bouquet, adeptly containing the 13.9% alcohol. The Cabernets were picked between 2nd and the 12th October, dense black fruits, touches of date and fresh fig, certainly more exotic than the Leoville Barton tasted just before. With aeration, there is a hint of Japanese nori. The palate is rounded and voluptuous, very well balanced with smooth, sensuous tannins, the acidity less marked than Barton, caressing towards the lush, but delineated finish. A powerful, quite sexy Poyferre by Didier Cuvelier. Tasted March 2010.

Score: 92 - 94

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 31 March 2010

One of the more flamboyant and sumptuous wines of the vintage, this inky/purple-colored St.-Julien reveals thrilling levels of opulence, richness and aromatic pleasures. A soaring bouquet of creme de cassis, charcoal, graphite and spring flowers is followed by a super-concentrated wine with silky tannins, stunning amounts of glycerin, a voluptuous, multilayered mouthfeel and nearly 14% natural alcohol. Displaying fabulous definition for such a big, plump, massive, concentrated effort, I suspect the tannin levels are high even though they are largely concealed by lavish amounts of fruit, glycerin and extract. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2040.

Score: 100

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2018-2040 01 March 2012

One of the more flamboyant and sumptuous wines of the vintage, this inky/purple-colored St.-Julien reveals thrilling levels of opulence, richness and aromatic pleasures. A soaring bouquet of crème de cassis, charcoal, graphite and spring flowers is followed by a super-concentrated wine with silky tannins, stunning amounts of glycerin, a voluptuous, multilayered mouthfeel and nearly 14% natural alcohol. Displaying fabulous definition for such a big, plump, massive, concentrated effort, I suspect the tannin levels are high even though they are largely concealed by lavish amounts of fruit, glycerin and extract.

Score: 100

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2018-2040 23 December 2011

One of the stars of the vintage, it will be interesting to see if Poyferre ultimately eclipses Las Cases as the finest of the three Leovilles. The 2009 is even better than the 2000, 2003, and 2005. Its inky/purple color precedes a wine filled with extraordinary opulence, voluptuous texture, and sweet tannin. It offers both intellectual and hedonistic pleasure with layer upon layer of ripe fruit. Yields were 43 hectoliters per hectare, the blend is more than two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot, and the natural alcohol is the highest ever measured at this estate, 13.95%. The high alcohol is not the least bit noticeable because of the extraordinary concentration and freshness possessed by most 2009s - a vintage characteristic that will serve these wines for decades to come. This is a wine to purchase by the case-load. It should drink well for 4-5 years. (Tasted three times.)

Score: 97 - 100

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2010-15 01 April 2010

Gorgeous aromas of blueberries and blackberries, with flowers and minerals. Full body, with silky tannins and a bright acidity on the finish. Tangy and chewy. Muscular. Try in 2018.

Score: 96

James Suckling, - Maturity: 2018 15 February 2012

Wonderful aromas of currant and blackberry, with black olives. Full-bodied, with a mouth-coating palate of supersoft tannins that go on and on. Solid and polished. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.

Score: 93 - 96

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2010

Blackish crimson. Heady and well integrated on the nose. Then a teensy bit tarry. Not quite enough flesh, though no obvious excess of alcohol. (17- Points)

Score: 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2015-2025 12 May 2011

Very dark crimson. Very grown-up and intense. Luscious fruit and top quality savoury oak. Very sweet start - really quite unusually sweet for a St-Julien. Very complete, lip-smacking and satisfying. Glamorous, polished. Long. Quite complex.

Score: 17 - 18

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2018-2032 01 April 2010

This second growth St Julien in a more forward style than the other two Leovilles, and with Michel Rolland overseeing the winemaking, Poyferre is now one of the most opulent, fleshy wines of the appellation. Stellar wines were made here in 1982, 1990 and more recently, 2003 and 2005. 60CS 29M 5CF 6PV. 42hl/ha. Opulent fruit on the nose with floral scents and a touch of vanilla cream nose. Very dense, solid blackcurrant core. Tons of energy and bounce - very refreshing. Intense toasty finish. Sexy and long.

Score: 93 - 95

Albany Vintners, - 01 April 2010

Black red, rich and very impressive concentration of Cabernet cassis, robust and vigourous, seductively succulent fruit with superb natural tannin back up, a very exciting wine. Drink 2016-35. (18.5 points)

Score: 18 - 19

Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2016-2035 01 April 2010

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