Area under vines: 80 hectares
Soils: Garonne gravel, clay and sand
Average age of the vines: 25 years
Production: 220,000 bottles a year
Ageing: in 80% new oak barrels for 18 to 20 months
Grape varieties:
Second wine: Pavillon de Leoville Poyferre
Other wine: Chateau Moulin Riche
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The 2020 Leoville Poyferre is quite backward on the nose, gradually unfurling with aeration to reveal introspective black fruit, licorice and touches of bay leaf. Returning after 20 minutes the aromatics develop life-affirming pixelation. The palate is medium-bodied with fine delineation very pure and silky in terms of texture. This is lavished in some high-quality new oak, but there is plenty of fruit underneath. It will take several years to fully cohere, but it should be worth waiting for. This is stunning. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Anticipated maturity: 2030-2062
64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Special black-and-gold bottle for the centenary.Very deep purple. Heady with all the usual opulence and complexity. Still pretty youthful with a notably heavy charge of tannins. May even evolve later than the 2022. Very dry finish at present. (JR)
Anticipated maturity: 2032-2052
Deep purple-black colored, the 2020 Leoville Poyferre comes bounding out of the glass like an energetic young pup, delivering exuberant scents of crushed black cherries, juicy blackberries and warm cassis, with hints of ground cloves, dark chocolate, lilacs and tilled soil. The medium to full-bodied palate is wonderfully plush, delivering bags of ripe black fruits with a seamless backbone of acidity, finishing long and spicy.
Anticipated maturity: 2027-2052
