Château Léoville Poyferré - Saint-Julien 2010

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

94 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe8/31/2013

Good deep ruby-red.  Blueberry, crushed cassis and graphite minerality on the youthfully medicinal nose.  Plush, broad and deep, but with tangy acidity giving shape and lift to the dark berry and violet flavors.  This spreads out to saturate every square millimeter of the palate.  As dominated by its tannic structure as this is today, it's a remarkably civilized wine.  Give it a decade in the cellar and then enjoy it over the following 20 years. 94 (+? points)

Wine Spectator

93 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2013

Features a coating of warm cocoa, with notes of solid currant paste, steeped fig and blackberry fruit. The pastis- and graphite-filled finish pumps along, revealing a well-embedded structure that should soften in the cellar. Best from 2015 through 2030. –JM

Wine Advocate

98 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe3/1/2013

The wine out distances both Leoville Las Cases and Leoville Barton, but all three of them are compelling efforts. Full-bodied, dense purple in color, with floral notes intermixed with blackberries, cassis, graphite and spring flowers, this full-bodied, legendary effort is long and opulent, with wonderfully abundant yet sweet tannin, a skyscraper-like mid-palate and a thrilling, nearly one-minute finish. This spectacular effort from Poyferre that should drink well for 30+ years. Another spectacular wine from the Cuvelier family, Leoville Poyferre (along with Ducru Beaucaillou) may be one of the two best wines of St.-Julien year after year these days. This is a large estate, covering nearly 200 acres, and the final blend of the 2010 Leoville Poyferre is 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, a whopping 34% Merlot and the rest 7% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc.

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

byNeal Martinthe2/12/2013

Tasted at the Union de Grand Cru in London. The Leoville Poyferre has an intense bouquet with blackberry, dark plum, violet and a touch of bay leaf – almost Margaux like in perfume – heady and opulent and not far removed from the 2009. The palate is full-bodied with succulent ripe black fruit laced with spice box and white pepper. It is very harmonious, crescendos to a vibrant, shimmering finish surfeit with minerality. Superb. Tasted November 2012

Jamessuckling.com

95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/3/2013

Wow. Very intense and aromatic nose with crushed currants and blueberries with hints of nuts and dried flowers. Full body, with very refined tannins and a lovely undercurrent of fruit. Balanced and juicy. Better in 2018.

Wein Wisser

19 / 20

the5/31/2011

61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc. Extrem dunkles Purpur. Gigantisches Bouquet, Kokos, Cassis, Flieder und ein Hauch Amarena, sehr warme, reife Cabernet-Ausstrahlung. Dichter Gaumen mit viel Fleisch und auch Power, recht frisch in der Frucht, verschwenderisch nach Schwarzen Johannisbeeren und reifen Kirschen, rauschhaftes Finale. Ein Hammerwein und sicher die beste Poyferré-Fassprobe meines Lebens! Wenn Budget vorhanden ist, dann gehört er auf der Einkaufsliste ganz weit nach oben! 2020-2050

Wine Advocate

95-98 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/31/2011

2010: One of the prodigious wines of the vintage, the Cuvelier family has produced an outstanding 2010 that must tip the scales at 14.5+% alcohol. It boasts an opaque purple color in addition to a sweet perfume of spring flowers, black raspberries, creme de cassis and a hint of spicy oak. This seamlessly constructed St.-Julien possesses massive concentration, moderately high tannins, abundant glycerin, an unctuous texture, remarkably fresh acids and wonderful precision. It will benefit from 5-6 years of cellaring and last 30-35 years. Drink 2016-2051

Jancis Robinson

17,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe5/12/2011

Very dark purple. Heady though there is a very slightly raw note. Plushissimo. A vote winner though on the strength of this sample I might seek just a little more freshness. A bit cruder than when I tasted it a month ago. Good length though. Drink 2018-2030

Le Point

17 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/12/2011

Fruits rouges, beau milieu de bouche sur des tanins bien moelleux, élégant, fin, tension en finale, très persistant. O=2018 G=20 ans

Jamessuckling.com

93-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/30/2011

This is so velvety and beautiful with a juicy, orange peel, raspberries and currant character on the nose and the palate. Full with a long, long finish. Wonderful texture to this wine. Dense and yummy.

Wine Spectator

92-95 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/30/2011

This is big, with layers of succulent blackberry, cassis and linzer torte pushed by sweet spice and a long, graphite finish. Shows lots of smoky, fleshy power, but really sails along. —J.M.

TAST

19-20 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2011

Grand terroir en évidence dans le cadre de la dégustation à l’aveugle, noblement construit, profond, racé, grand toucher de bouche, long. Sans doute le vin le plus abouti dans sa forme comme dans l’expression du terroir, à la naissance, de toute l’ère moderne.

Decanter Magazine

18,5 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/30/2011

ine concentration, quite understated at the start, then the purity and depth of fruit, classical Leoville firm texture and length becomes plain, a wine that repays keeping. Drink 2020-40. (18.5 points)

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-96 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/25/2011

Leoville Poyferre From an assemblage of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, along with 3% Cabernet Franc, this wine reached 14% alcohol. Even at this degree of alcohol, there is no feeling of heat. Smoke, earth, jammy dark berries and cassis scents produce the aromatics. This fresh, chocolate covered cassis filled wine is big and almost brawny in style. Its beefy tannins and low pH combine freshness and power which are made better by the long cassis filled, powerful finish. According to Didier Cuvelier, 2010 reminds him of 2005. I see his point. B ut for me, 2010 is more powerful, while 2005 offers more elegance and charm.93-96 Pts

Jancis Robinson

17,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/19/2011

Very concentrated and luscious looking. Exceptionally deep crimson. Very fine and sophisticated on the nose. Both concentration and lift but then perhaps just a bit too concentrated on the palate? Certainly very attention grabbing with lots of very ripe, very dry fruit. Lustrous. With some welcoming appeal. Pure, luscious Médoc Cabernet. Very long and vibrant. Drink 2020-2035

Wine Enthusiast

95-97 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/8/2011

This wine is firmly tannic, with wonderful fresh fruit, blackcurrant skins and damsons - followed by bitter chocolate. It is certainly tough and dense, with the juicy acidity of the year giving lift to the finish.-R.V.