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

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

The vineyard is situated in its prime location, facing the finest plots of Léoville-Las Cases and extending from those of Pichon-Longueville Baron. The wine perfectly reflects this location, consistently ranking among the most powerful yet also the most complex and harmonious in the entire Médoc. A slightly higher percentage of Merlot than in the other two Léovilles 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 now comes from its own specific vineyard block, much like Clos-du-Marquis in relation to Léoville’s grand vin.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

Like the other two wines produced by 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 during the division—benefits from a prime terroir. This 80-hectare estate spans the entire commune of Saint-Julien: to the east, near the Gironde, brown gravel and pebbles; to the west, black sand. These assets have been highlighted since 1979 by Didier Cuvelier, whose family—former wine merchants in Lille—acquired the property in 1920.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Deep purple-black in color, the 2020 Léoville Poyferré bursts from the glass like an energetic young puppy, delivering exuberant aromas of crushed black cherries, juicy blackberries, and warm blackcurrants, with notes of clove, dark chocolate, lilac, and freshly plowed earth. The medium- to full-bodied palate is wonderfully lush, offering bursts of ripe black fruit with a backbone of flawless acidity, finishing on a long, spicy note. 2027–2052

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

About the estate:

Since the late 1970s and the arrival of Didier Cuvelier, this Second Growth has been completely revitalized. Many plots have been replanted and the winemaking facilities modernized. The vines are now of a respectable age, and the estate is in the race for excellence within an appellation that is well-stocked with contenders. The wines possess a vitality and richness 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.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

Rich, full-bodied, and bursting with flavors of black plum and dark chocolate, this wine displays great power and excellent aging potential. Its richness is balanced by the freshness of its acidity, which allows it to age beautifully.

Vinous

About the wine:

The 2020 Léoville-Poyferré is just as impressive as it was in the barrel. It has even gained in freshness and liveliness thanks to its aging. Black cherry, plum, mocha, graphite, and a hint of French oak are just a few of the many notes that lend the 2020 its distinctive character. I particularly admire its vertical energy and well-defined personality. In some recent vintages, Léoville-Poyferré has been quite showy, but the 2020 also has a more nuanced side that is extremely appealing. 2028–2050

Yves Beck

About the wine:

The bouquet of Léoville Poyferré sets the tone right from the start. It clearly fears nothing, yet knows how to hold back so as not to reveal everything at once. As a result, it unveils a multitude of nuances, with notes of pepper, licorice, and red and black berries, as well as classic characteristics such as graphite and cedar. I also note the subtle blend of charm and power on the palate. I’ve often felt as though one is walking a tightrope with Poyferré, expecting the whole thing to tip into sweetness… and yet harmony always prevails. The wine boasts fine, dense, and powdery tannins and, above all, a refreshing crispness—perhaps one of the essential keys to its sense of balance. A powerful, serene, deep, and long-lasting wine. In short, it’s truly exceptional! 2027-4047

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is elegant, offering complexity, richness (well-balanced), and depth. It features notes of juicy blackberry, creamy strawberry, and a hint of vibrant blackcurrant, combined with hints of graphite, spices, ripe/juicy berries, and a refined minerality, as well as subtle hints of nutmeg, saffron, a subtle touch of cubeb pepper, and an imperceptible hint of salt. The palate is fruity, fresh, and elegant, offering delicacy (like a velvet glove), precision, a lovely airy character, a tangy structure, subtlety, and a very fine, discreetly tight texture. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of juicy/fresh blackberry, raspberry, and, more subtly, ripe berries, combined with hints of fresh vanilla, vibrant red berries, vibrant plum, fresh blond tobacco, as well as a subtle 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, and refined, offering a touch of smoothness. A lovely finish. A very fine texture on the finish/aftertaste. A delicious finish/aftertaste.

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

Even more striking in its magnificent black-and-gold bottle celebrating its owner’s 100th anniversary than it was in the barrel, the wine instantly captures attention with its deep color and equally dark, fruity profile, centered on a core of blackberries, black cherries, black plums, spices, espresso, and dark chocolate. The wine is deep, rich, concentrated, and lush, yet also fresh, silky, vibrant, long, and focused. The finish reveals layers of sweet, ripe black and blue fruits, chocolate, espresso, and a hint of spice at the end of the silky finish. Drink between 2026 and 2055.