2011 Saint-Julien, Château Léoville-Poyferré
About Producer
The least well-known of the Léoville trio, Poyferré has made great strides since the 1990s and is now part of the Left Bank elite. It’s one of the most sensual and voluptuous St-Julien, often more opulent than Barton and more creamy than Las Cases. Created from a division of the large Léoville estate in 1840, the modern history of Léoville-Poyferré started in 1920 with the purchase of the property by the Cuvelier family. The current 80ha vineyards consist of a few large blocks of fine gravelly terraces on sandy clay subsoil, the best lying opposite the enclos of Las Cases and on either side of the D2 road south of the village of St-Julien. The rise of Poyferré into the Médoc elite owes much to the vision and resolve of Didier Cuvelier who rolled out massive transformations after he took the reins in 1979. Following his retirement in 2018, the property is now managed by his cousin, Sara Lecompte-Cuvelier.
Varietals
Blend of 58% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 6% cabernet franc and 6% petit verdot.
About Appellation
Sandwiched between Margaux and Pauillac, Saint-Julien AOC is home to 11 grands crus classés in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification. The 910ha vineyards sit on a top layer of gravel on clay and limestone soil covered with large white stones ('galets'). While there are traces of vines planted here since the 8th century, extensive viticulture only started off in the 17th century when members of the local nobility and bourgeoisie created large vineyards. Like most of the Médoc, cabernet sauvignon reigns supreme, followed by merlot which plays an invariably supporting role. There are also lesser plantings of cabernet franc and petit verdot. The best estates have vines planted on gentle slopes along the Gironde estuary where terroir and micro-climate are the finest.
Tasting Notes
Fragrant nose of black fruits, leather, cedar, crushed stones and allspice, luscious mouthfeel with velvety texture, broad structure and excellent purity, multilayered flavours of strawberry, blackberry, liquorice, chocolate and flint intermixed with forest floor undertones, racy acidity and powdery tannins carrying through a long, harmonious finish. This is a delightful, well balanced wine with composed elegance, vibrant freshness and subtle complexity. It’s dense, concentrated and powerful yet exuding exquisite finesse, and I particularly love the vivacious lift on the palate that adds a thrilling feel to the aftertaste. A brilliant effort for the vintage indeed. (03/2022)