Castle Léoville Poyferré - Saint-Julien 2003

Wine Advocate

96 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe8/29/2014

The spectacular 2003 Leoville Poyferre exhibits a dense purple color with a touch of lightening at the edge as well as notes of creosote, barbecue smoke, jammy black currants, licorice and spice box. This intense, voluptuously textured, full-bodied St.-Julien possesses low acidity and ripe tannin. Still fresh and exuberant, it is just entering its plateau of full maturity where it should remain for 10-15+ years.

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/29/2008

A deep black/garnet hue with youthful pink rim. The nose seems to have really closed down since last encountered: huge fruit concentration of black berries, dark cherries, mocha, coca and a touch of fig. It does not have the vivaciousness that it showed in its youth. The palate is full-bodied, decadent but not over-powering or ostentatious with acidity cutting through layers of chewy black fruits laced with raisin, nutmeg and espresso. A dense, tannic finish – this needs serious cellaring but it is certainly fulfilling its potential. Drink 2018-2040+ Tasted March 2008.

Wine Advocate

98 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/24/2006

I have had this wine three times out of bottle, rating it 97 once and 98 twice. It is a colossal success and a potential legend in the making. Its saturated, dense inky/blue/purple color offers up notes of crushed rocks, acacia flowers, blueberries, black raspberries, and creme de cassis. A synthesis of power and elegance, this multi-layered wine has spectacular concentration, sweet but high tannin, and low acidity A stunning effort that showcases this legendary terroir, it is a brilliant, brilliant success. The quintessential Leoville Poyferre? Anticipated maturity: 2009-2030

Wine Spectator

95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/31/2006

Pure cassis on the nose. Impressive. Full-bodied, thick and powerful, with loads of fruit and big, velvety tannins. Goes on for minutes on the palate. Huge wine. Very, very impressive. This is one of the big surprises of the vintage. Best after 2012. 19,165 cases made.

Wine Advocate

94-96 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/29/2005

One of the vintage’s superstars and a candidate for the finest St.-Julien of the vintage, the 2003 Leoville Poyferre rivals the 2000, 1996, and 1990 as one of the best Poyferres ever made (although the 1982 seems to be gaining in stature every time I go back to it). With a dense purple color to the rim, an extraordinary nose of pure cassis and raspberries, enormous body, great richness, high tannin, and low acidity in a voluptuous, almost opulent style, this will be a sensational wine that should hit its accessibility point in about 3-5 years and then evolve slowly for 25+. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2025.

GaultMillau

93-95 / 100

the6/30/2004

Dense et pleins avec des tannins fermes, Poyferré a produit une des réussites majeures de l'appellation qui méritera probablement encore mieux après l'élevage