Chateau Léoville Poyferré - Saint-Julien 2011

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

92 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe8/31/2014

Inky ruby.  Exotic, inviting scents of black cherry, cassis, orange zest, coffee and smoky underbrush.  Fat, sweet and rich, with lively acidity giving noteworthy lift to its rich dark fruit, pepper and cocoa flavors.  Wonderfully delineated Saint-Julien wine with plenty of fleshy substance but more than enough energy to keep it from being weighed down; in fact, this seems almost delicate for such a big wine.  Finishes with soft tannins and lingering notes of pepper and violet.  This is already fun to drink but ought to evolve gracefully for another decade or so.  Should turn out to be one of the stars of the vintage. (92(+?) points)

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/2/2014

This property, which has been on a qualitative tear over the last generation, has produced one of the most successful wines of 2011. A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, it is broad, rich, medium to full-bodied and dense. It boasts an inky/purple color as well as lots of concentration, silky tannins, and a bigger, richer mouthfeel than any of its St.-Julien peers. The result is one of the stars of the vintage.

Jamessuckling.com

93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/19/2014

Blackberry and currant aromas with hints of minerals. Full body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. Chewy and reserved. Just the right amount of fruit covering the tannins. Harmony for the vintage. Better in 2017.      

Wine Spectator

92 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/10/2014

Shows a warm charcoal note from the start, backed by melted fig, crushed blackberry and steeped black currant fruit. A strong graphite edge pins down the finish. Dark in profile, but defined and well-suited to mid-term cellaring. A very solid effort. Best from 2016 through 2026.

La Revue du Vin de France

16,5-17 / 20

the5/31/2012

Encore une grande réussite pour la propriété. Il possède une densité impressionnante, avec beaucoup de fond et une structure tannique mûre imposante. Parfaitement construit, avec un coeur de bouche gras et suave, il déroule une belle finale équilibrée. Beaucoup de race.

Le Point

16,5-17 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/17/2012

Nez fruits noirs, bouche fruitée, large, très tannique, assez carré, serré en finale, très droit. O= 2018 G= 15 ans

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

90-93 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe5/12/2012

Opaque, very deep purple-ruby. Deep, brooding nose hints at blackcurrant, graphite and cedar. Dense, rich and suave, with captivating sweetness to the flavors of blackcurrant, mint and flint. The finish is pure, creamy and long, with smooth spicy tannins I love this wine's pure black fruit nose, and its harmonious acidity really extends and lifts its flavors. This chateau has been on a roll of late.

TAST

18-18,5 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2012

Un des vins les plus impressionnants du millésime en Médoc, grande couleur, grande texture, tanin ferme mais mûr, magnifique persistance. Ici l'achat en primeurs aura vraiment du sens.

Wein Wisser

18 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/30/2012

58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc. 32hl/ha. Sattes Purpur-Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Herrlich florale Cabernet-Würze, rote und blaue Kirschen, dahinter zeigt sich auch etwas Pfeffriges mit einem Hauch Sommertrüffel und gewissen Teernuancen. Viel Fleisch im Extrakt, tolle Konzentration, fein körnige Texture, mittlerer Druck. Mal wieder Klassisch. 2018-2054

Decanter.com

17,5 / 20

the4/30/2012

Well-extracted blackcurrant Cabernet fruit, very good ripeness and good tannins, an impression of power with elegance to come later. Drink 2017-2035.

Wine Advocate

91-94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2012

Another super effort from this estate, Leoville Poyferre-s 2011 possesses an opaque purple color in addition to a ripe, fragrant nose of black currant fruit, cedar, white chocolate and a touch of oak. Rich, layered and medium to full-bodied with unmistakable elegance and purity, vibrant acids and a fresh, lively personality, it will need 3-4 years of cellaring and should keep for two decades.

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/27/2012

The Chateau Leoville Poyferre is a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 6% Cabernet Franc picked between 19th September and 1st October, sorted by optical machine. Astonishingly, it has a higher IPT than in 2010 at 94 compared to 82 last year. It has an attractive bouquet with fine delineation and freshness, fine tension and poise with exuberant blackberry and wild strawberry fruit infused with cedar and crushed stone. The palate is medium-bodied with tensile tannins, a sharp thread of citric acidity and very good weight. It lacks a little harmony towards the finish that shows a little hardness, but I think this will soften to turn out to be one of the finest Saint Julien wines in a difficult vintage. Tasted April 2012

The Wine Cellar Insider

91-93 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/27/2012

From an assemblage of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and an equal amount of Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 13.7% alcohol. The Grand Vin represents 55% of the harvest. With good color, the wine opens with coffee, earth, black raspberry and cassis. Medium-bodied, tannic, bright and fresh, there is a brawny personality in the crisp boysenberry, cassis and tannic finish. 2011 Leoville Poyferre will not be fun to drink young. It will require a lot of time before it softens and comes around. 91-93 Pts

Jancis Robinson

16 / 20

byJulia Harding MWthe4/18/2012

Drink 2018-2028
Inky core. Chocolate and char on the nose. Furry and dry on the palate with sweetness of oak as well as cherry fruit. Pretty drying finish but there is some stuffing in the frame. (JH) (16+ points)

Wine Spectator

91-94 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/10/2012

A very ripe, fleshy, gutsy style, with mouthfilling tar, espresso, braised fig and dark plum notes still waiting to meld fully. The broad, muscular finish has a nice briary edge. Impressive.—J.M.

Wine Enthusiast

93-95 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/4/2012

Ripe, fruity and powerful, this wine has intense Cabernet black-currant flavors, with plenty of richness and concentration. It shows the acidity and the bright fruit of the year. —R.V.

Jamessuckling.com

91-92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/1/2012

This shows a currant and berries with dark chocolate character. Full and chewy with a bright acidity. Structured too. A little austere. Wait and see. Only about 40% of the normal production. 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Petit Verdot.