Château Léoville Poyferré, 2ème Cru Classé, St Julien, 2023
Isabelle Davin, Leoville Poyferre's in house oenologist described the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Francs as "breathtaking". The 2023 Poyferre certainly left an impression on us and is probably the pick of the St Julien appellation. The chateau has been on impeccable form recently taking the honours at Southwold. Their 2023 is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. It offers clear aromas of violets and bramble fruits, which segue to a palate packed with creamy creme de mûre, ripe cherries, framboise and a touch of kirsch. There's admirable purity allied to a lushness to the fruit on the mid-palate. Lots of detail and texture, energy and depth, all shrouded by a serious tannic framework. A splendid wine with huge potential. One of the stars of the Medoc.
critic reviews
The 2023 Léoville-Poyferré was a serious proposition when I tasted it from barrel. Now, in bottle since June '25, it has a typically sensual and very pure bouquet that seems to give the olfactory senses a metaphorical "warm hug." Lush red and blue fruit. The palate is beautifully balanced with very supple, very chiseled tannins. It has the sensuality associated with Poyferré, yet there is admirable structure and grip behind it. As such, I have little doubt that it will age gracefully over many years.
The 2023 Leoville Poyferre is deep garnet-purple in color. Notes of cedar chest and cracked black pepper open out to a core of juicy plums and fresh blackcurrants followed by hints of Provence herbs, lavender, and mossy tree bark. The medium-bodied palate delivers compelling tension with a firm, fine-grained texture and pure black berry flavors, finishing on a floral note. The blend is 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, with pH 3.68 and TPI 76.
Brilliant Poyferré, deep ruby colour, setting the scene for ink, campfire, espresso, mint, cassis and damson. Concentrated but with a delicious balance, this feels effortless and is truly a wine for Bordeaux lovers to seek out. Harvest September 14 to October 5. 80% new oak, 52hl/h yields, biggest since 2004, with more 1st wine than usual because the old Cabernet Sauvignon plots gave quality and quantity (after three low quantity years). Alix Combes new vineyard manager, replacing long time manager Bruno Clenet.
Aromas of cassis, plums, pencil shavings and toasty new oak introduce the 2023 Leoville Poyferre, a medium to full-bodied, rich and chunky wine with a deep core of succulent fruit framed by sweet, generously extracted tannins. It's a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot that saw some saignee and osmosis for additional concentration. As usual, it's the creamiest, most "modern"-styled of the three Leovilles. Harvest began on September 14 and concluded on October 5, with fermentations a little cooler than usual, perhaps an intimation of a stylistic evolution in progress.