Château Léoville Poyferré Saint-Julien 2019 - 2nd Grand Cru Classé

Deep color, with the distinctive Léoville character—namely, a slightly fuller body and firmer tannins than the wines from the Beychevelle area, and a more earthy expression of its connection to the gravel soil from which it is born. Clearly has a great future ahead of it.

The estate is situated in a prime location opposite the finest plots of Léoville-Las Cases and in line with those of Pichon-Longueville Baron. The wine perfectly reflects this location, consistently ranking among the most powerful, yet also the most complex and harmonious wines in the entire Médoc. A slightly higher percentage of Merlot than in the other two Léoville estates contributes to its slightly rounder texture. Didier Cuvelier is semi-retired but, of course, continues to ensure the continuity of the excellence he has established. Pavillon-de-Poyferré, now the château’s true second wine, is improving, as is Moulin-Riche, which is now produced from its own distinct vineyard block—much like Clos-du-Marquis in relation to Léoville’s grand vin.

3% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc add an extra layer of subtlety to this high-class Saint-Julien. The nose displays a pronounced exotic character, with Asian spices and cedar wood, combined with plump plums and juicy blackberries. On the palate, it is smoother than many other Haut-Médoc wines and displays great balance and remarkable purity. It will be enjoyable at a (relatively) young age. 2025–2042

With its distinctive deep burgundy color, this wine stands out for the intensity of its aromas of fully ripe grapes, characteristic of the exceptionally sunny 2019 vintage. This ripeness also lends the palate a broad, long finish that is powerful, warm, and impressively dense, with robust tannins. A superb Saint-Julien with excellent aging potential. 2028–2038

Like the other two wines produced from the former Léoville estate, Poyferré—named after the Count of Poyferré, a member of a noble family from Armagnac who inherited the vineyard through his wife at the time of the split—benefits from a prime terroir. Covering an area of 80 hectares, the vineyard spans the entire commune of Saint-Julien: to the east, near the Gironde River, there are brown gravel and pebbles; to the west, black sand. These assets have been showcased since 1979 by Didier Cuvelier, whose family—former wine merchants in Lille—acquired the property in 1920.

The 2019 Léoville Poyferré shows great promise in the bottle, with aromas of crème de cassis and wild berries intertwined with notes of licorice, clay, cigar wrapper, and smoke. Full-bodied, velvety, and polished, it is enveloping with a generous core of fruit, ripe tannins, and succulent acidity, and finishes with a long, precise aftertaste. Consistently the most sumptuous of the three Léovilles, with about 35% Merlot, the 2019 is a remarkable wine that will offer a wide drinking window. 2027–2057

The 2019 is still tightly closed at this stage—very concentrated, rich, and tight on the finish, but also marked by its oak. It has all the ingredients to become a great bottle within a decade… patience is key. It is the most full-bodied wine in the appellation.

Since the late 1970s and the arrival of Didier Cuvelier, this Second Growth has been completely renovated. Many plots have been replanted, and the winemaking facilities have been modernized. The vines are now of a respectable age, and the estate is in the race for excellence within an appellation that boasts many strong contenders. The wines possess a vitality and fullness that now place them at the top of the appellation. The terroir gives Poyferré’s wine its deep color, its full-bodied yet lively texture, its broad, spicy bouquet, and its aging potential.

The 2019 Léoville-Poyferré is creamy, elegant, and utterly voluptuous. Bright red cherry, plum, blood orange, mint, spices, and menthol fill the palate with effortless grace. In some tastings, the 2019 has come across as quite powerful, while at other times it displays greater finesse. Either way, this 2019 is absolutely breathtaking. I greatly admire its energy and persistence. Tasted 3 times. 2029–2049

The nose is exquisitely delicate, taking us on a journey from lavender to black cherry, from morello cherry to chalky notes. This wine is in the league of the very best. The attack is crisp and bold with black fruit; the black cherry bursts on the palate—it’s top-tier, a burst of freshness. Density and precision, desire and sensuality. Léoville Poyferré suggests a great wine with aging potential. It is the result of meticulous work with the wine that begins in the vineyard and continues in the cellar, where the sole focus is on purity. A truly lovely release!

One of Léoville Poyferré’s finest vintages, the wine displays a beautiful deep color in the glass. The nose opens with aromas of black and red fruits, espresso, cocoa, tobacco leaves, smoke, and flowers. On the palate, the wine shines with its multiple layers of deep, ripe, and sensual red fruit, silky and polished tannins, and a long, vibrant finish that is multi-layered and luscious in texture. This wine will age and evolve for decades without any issues. Best enjoyed between 2027 and 2055.