Château Léoville Poyferré Saint-Julien 2025 - 2nd Grand Cru Classé (Primeurs)

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 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 specific vineyard block—much like Clos-du-Marquis in relation to Léoville’s grand vin.

Decanter

About the wine:

This year’s Poyferré is utterly captivating. It has a beautiful, vibrant, and radiant color in the glass, with soft notes of rose and violet on the nose. Juicy and lively, immediately charming, full-bodied and smooth, yet fresh and mineral. A full-bodied palate with notes of licorice, tobacco, cola, and hints of clove. I love the restraint it shows—it’s still a powerful wine, but so much more relaxed than it could have been. Graceful yet impactful, full of ripe fruit, with such a generous and joyful character. I love it. Potential for further development in the bottle. A yield of 20 hl/ha, one of the lowest. The owner, Sara, mentioned lower fermentation temperatures, shorter macerations, and shorter pump-overs to preserve supple tannins. No leaf removal, cover crops were left in place, and cold storage rooms were used to cool the grapes before optical sorting, particularly for the more delicate Petit Verdot. Julien Viaud, consultant. 5% Petit Verdot rounds out the blend. 2034–2050

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

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 following the split—benefits from a prime terroir. This estate, covering an area of 80 hectares, 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 brought to the fore since 1979 by Didier Cuvelier, whose family—former wine merchants in Lille—acquired the property in 1920.

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 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.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Deep and intense, Léoville Poyferré’s bouquet showcases both the freshness and the warm character of the vintage. It’s no stranger to notes of graphite and black berries, nor to hints of ivy and eucalyptus—not to mention the aromas of peonies, blueberries, honeysuckle, caramel, and coffee… Its complexity is beyond question—it’s simply obvious! Didier Thomann brings these elements together and teaches them to harmonize; he must probably talk to them a lot! On the palate, the wine stands out for its vigor, charm, precision, and power. The tannins are certainly powerful, but they are so well balanced by the other elements present that one can’t help but describe them as smooth! A well-sculpted athlete—not a bodybuilder—who will perform just as well in the javelin throw as in the shot put or the marathon! 2030–2060

Tastingbook - Markus Del Monego

About the wine:

Deep purple color with violet highlights and a black rim. A complex nose with aromas reminiscent of blackcurrant and blackberry, juicy plums, notes of blackcurrant buds and cherry jam, sweet spices, and a refined toasty note in the background. On the palate, it is well-structured and balanced, with excellent depth and a lovely length, ripe tannins, subtle acidity, freshness, and a rich aromatic expression that echoes the nose. A great Léoville!

Falstaff