Léoville Poyferré - Saint-Julien 2020

Wine Spectator

95 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2023

Showy and very hard to resist, this gushes with velvety plum and boysenberry reduction flavors, along with melted black licorice and violet hints along the way. This has a very cold cast iron note buried deeply on the finish, too, to keep it grounded. A very distinctive house style. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2030 through 2038.

Wines Critic

96 /

byRaffaele Vecchionethe3/10/2023

A fan of perfumes hit the reader in an almost Gascon like manner. The notes of black prunes blend well with notes of blackberries, liquorice, mandarin peel, linden, sandalwood, incense, white pepper, vanilla, gardenias and magnolias. Full bodied, soft tannins and an elegant, refined finish of optimum craftsmanship. Better from 2024.

Vinous

97 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe2/24/2023

The 2020 Léoville-Poyferré is every bit as impressive as it was from barrel. If anything, it has gained in freshness and vibrancy with élevage. Dark cherry, plum, mocha, graphite and a kiss of French oak are some of the many notes that infuse the 2020 with tons of character. I especially admire its vertical energy and buttoned up personality. In some recent vintages Léoville-Poyferré has been quite showy, but the 2020 also has a more nuanced side that is hugely appealing.

Vinous

96 / 100

byNeal Martinthe2/15/2023

The 2020 Léoville Poyferré was bottled in June. It has a very intense nose, displaying more black fruit than its showing from barrel, also the opulence tempered since its bottling. Fine mineralité, hints of clove and bay leaf develop with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a smooth opening, still slightly lactic in style as I remarked from barrel, yet with immense depth and plenty of finesse. The structure really comes through on the finish, a pinch of cracked black pepper and tobacco lending complexity. This is a great Léoville Poyferré that will give more than four decades of enjoyment, though I advise waiting several years before broaching.

Jamessuckling.com

96 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe1/16/2023

This is really floral on the nose with violets and roses, and some black berries and dark cherries. It’s medium- to full-bodied with firm and polished tannins, and plenty of hazelnut and milk chocolate. Structured, yet so finely textured. So attractive and enticing now but needs three or four years to show what it has. Try after 2026.

Wine Spectator

95 / 100

byJames Molesworththe11/30/2022

Showy and very hard to resist, this gushes with velvety plum and boysenberry reduction flavors, along with melted black licorice and violet hints along the way. This has a very cold cast iron note buried deeply on the finish, too, to keep it grounded. A very distinctive house style. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2030 through 2038.

TASTED

95 / 100

byAndreas Larssonthe7/6/2021

The nose offers ripeness and purity with vigorous young fruit, cassis and dark berries with discreet oak, sage and tobacco notes. The palate is strucutred yet elegant with fine proportions, rounded tannin, a fresh backbone and unctuous fresh fruit flavours. dense and muscular finish with great persistency.

La Revue du Vin de France

96-97 / 100

the6/7/2021

Il exprime un fruit très mûr mais pas confit. Dense et charnu, avec une bouche retenue, dense, tout en muscle. L’allonge est remarquable, sur des flots de tanins soyeux.

Le Figaro

95-97 / 100

the6/2/2021

Un nez attrayant de cerise bigarreau, parfumé et floral, avec un côté très dame du monde. Une bouche élégante et satinée de tabac, de réglisse et de café, mais aussi des notes torréfiées, et une finale délicate en crescendo.

Vinous

95-97 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe6/1/2021

The 2020 Léoville-Poyferré is a powerful, structured wine. In recent vintages, Léoville-Poyferré has been more opulent, but the 2020 shows off a towering, vertical build framed by a soaring spine of tannin. Dark red cherry, pomegranate, cedar and spicebox emerge with a bit of coaxing. Ultimately, though, Léoville-Poyferré is less showy than most Saint-Juliens at this stage. I don't expect that will be much of an issue in time. In a word: magnificent. Tasted three times.

Jeb DUNNUCK

95-97 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/28/2021

Cut from the same cloth as the 2016 with its focused, pure, yet concentrated style, the 2020 Château Léoville Poyferré reveals a dense purple color as well as ultra-classic notes of crème de cassis, graphite, toasted spice, and unsmoked tobacco. Rich and medium to full-bodied, it has brilliant mid-palate depth and ripe, velvety tannins, all making for a beautiful Saint-Julien that will benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age and shine for 30-40 years or more. Tasted three times.

Vinous

95-97 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/27/2021

The 2020 Léoville Poyferré builds on the success of recent vintages, offering intense yet exquisitely defined black cherries, wild strawberry, cassis and crushed stone aromas. It is high-toned as usual but not quite as hedonistic as the recently tasted 2018. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins that belie the backbone of this Saint-Julien. Slightly lactic in texture toward the spicy finish; the oak will be assimilated by the time of bottling, leaving a very suave and sophisticated wine that will give 30–40 years of drinking pleasure. Easily one of the classiest offerings from this Saint-Julien in recent years.

Decanter.com

96 / 100

byJane Ansonthe5/25/2021

Rich and concentrated with violet reflections and a wall of tannins. Well structured, it sets its feet deep in the ground and will need time to soften and develop. Good quality with depth. The tannins are far more present than the alcohol, setting it apart from the 2018. A yield of 35hl/ha. Harvest september 14 to 30. Planted blend (not 2020) 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc.

The Wine Cellar Insider

96-98 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/21/2021

Silky, polished, lusciously textured and rich, the wine pops from the glass with incense, smoked berries, cherry blossoms, creme de cassis, tobacco leaf and blue fruit. Full-bodied, silky and opulently textured, this concentrated wine offers layers of deep, ripe fruits that simultaneously coat your palate, yet feel fresh and vibrant. The flamboyant, seamless finish builds in intensity as it expands on your palate. 96-98

Wine Advocate

95-97 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/20/2021

Deep purple-black colored, the 2020 Léoville Poyferré 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.

Anthocyanes

92-94 / 100

byYohan Castaingthe5/11/2021

Le nez est marqué par le bois et le grillé, presque goudron. La bouche est enrobante, légèrement sucrée, le boisé est prégnant, les tanins structurants. Un vin massif, plutôt dense dont les tanins devront se fondre lors de l'élevage.

Bernard Burtschy

94-96 / 100

byBernard Burtschythe5/10/2021

Falstaff

95-97 / 100

the5/10/2021

Tiefdunkles, opaker Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zart tabakig-kräuterwürzig unterlegtes schwarzes Beerenkonfit nach Cassis und Brom- beeren, etwas Kardamon, Edelholznuancen. Komplex, engmaschig, reife Kirschen, feiner Nougat, samtige, reife Tannine, mineralischer Anklang im Abgang, bleibt sehr gut haften, wirkt kraftvoll und harmonisch, gutes Entwicklungspotenzial.

My Bettane + Desseauve

97 / 100

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/7/2021

Jamessuckling.com

96-97 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/23/2021

Impressive purity of fruit on the nose with crushed raspberries, blackcurrants and blackberries. Some lead pencil, too. It’s full-bodied with very polished, intense tannins that go on for minutes. The quality and precision of the tannins are impressive, giving the wine form, energy and equilibrium.