The completeness of 2001, with its miraculous balance, is present in this wine. The acidity, ripe blackcurrants sit comfortably on top of dry tannins, the fleshiness of the fruit taking the edge off the tannins. It seems to bring out the structure, the fruit and the refreshing acidity.
Reviews:
- Decanter: So much blue fruit here, together with mushrooms and dried cherries. Some flowers, too. Full-bodied with dusty, chewy tannins. Velvety. Lots of everything here.
- Wine Enthusiast: The completeness of 2001, with its miraculous balance, is present in this wine. The acidity, ripe blackcurrants sit comfortably on top of dry tannins, the fleshiness of the fruit taking the edge off the tannins. It seems to bring out the structure, the fruit and the refreshing acidity.
Producer Information
Château Léoville Poyferré is a wine estate in the Saint-Julien appellation of Haut-Médoc wine region, just north of Bordeaux town. It was rated a second growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, and was traditionally the softest of the three Léovilles. However, in the last few decades, the Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant wine has gained weight and density. The estate lies in the heart of the Saint-Julien appellation, with the cellars located in the village of Saint-Julien-Beychevelle, next door to Léoville-Las Cases and just north of Langoa-Barton (where the Léoville Barton wine is produced). All three Léoville vineyards were once part of the same estate which was divided in three on the death of its owner in the mid-18th Century. Léoville Poyferré took its name in the 1840s from Baron Jean-Marie de Poyferré, who acquired the estate through marriage. After a succession of owners, including Edouard Lawton (the wolf of his family crest adorns the Léoville Poyferré labels to this day), the estate was acquired by the Cuvelier family in 1920, with whom it has remained. The 80-hectare (200-acre) estate vineyard is planted 63 percent to Cabernet Sauvignon with 25 percent Merlot, seven percent Petit Verdot and five percent Cabernet Franc. The gravelly soils provide good drainage for the vines, which helps negate disease pressure and leads to concentrated fruit.
