2014 Chateau Leoville-Poyferre 2eme Cru Classe St. Julien

Falstaff Magazin - 93pts - PM: *Rauchig und zitrisch, extrem holzgeprägt. Blaubeere, frischfruchtig. Großer Körper­rahmen, prall stoffig gefüllt. Knappe Säurestütze. Hintergrundig weich und auch in Maßen saftig. Massiver Wein mit ambitionierter, harter Extraktion. Die in ihrer Frische gute, aber in der Intensität nur mittelgewichtige Fruchtbegleitung bleibt im Vergleich zum Stoff in der Defensive. Erstaunlich wenig Grüntöne für die kräftige Extraktion.* -04/2015

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - XXpts - NM: *-The 2014 Leoville-Poyferre was surprisingly backward and tight on the nose (usually it is the most expressive and generous Léoville in its youth). The precision and focus is intact, but it is broody and sultry at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with firm structure, which suggests that it has turned volte face since its opulent showing in barrel. Overall, this comes across as perhaps a slightly more austere and masculine wine from Didier Cuvelier, though that is not a criticism, just an observation. I would like to see a little more persistence on the finish, but the tidings bode well for this mercurial and fascinating Léoville-Poyferre. I can see it improving with bottle age, hence the plus sign against my score.* -03/2017

Vinum Magazin – 18,5/20pts: *Hat nichts von seiner superben Rasse und Frische eingebüsst, erstklassiges Tannin, Schliff, Spannung und Länge, herrlich blumige Aromatik.* - 06/2017

WeinWisser – 18/20pts – RG: *60 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 35 % Merlot, 3 % Cabernet Franc, 2 % Petit Verdot. 36 hl/ha. Extrem dunkles Purpur mit lila und violetten Reflexen. Ich hatte ihn unmittelbr nach dem Barton und Ducru in der Nase. Während die anderen eher leise auftraten war dies ein absolutes Rodeobouquet! Viel schwarze Kirschen, viel Cassis, dunkle Edelhölzer, Arabica-Kaffeetouch. Dahinter aber auch ganz fein grüne Cabernetspuren zeigend. Im Gaumen ein Mund voll Wein, fleischig, stoffig, komplex und reich in allen Belangen. Angefangen mit den reifen, markanten Gerbstoffen über die Konzentration bis hin zum katapultartigen Finale. Unter den Deuxièmes war dies die arroganteste Version. Aber warum darf ein grosser Cru denn keine Ecken und Kanten haben? Vor allem wenn er genau so bestückt ist. Ein nobler Bauer mit Saint-Julien-Power! Wenn er alle Primeur-Versprechungen bis zur Flasche hält, dann kann er 19/20 pflücken.*

04/15: *Tightly focused, with red currant, bergamot, Campari and sandalwood notes woven together and
carrying through the well-polished finish. Has a noticeable twinge of singed wood and sweet earth at the end.
A touch more backward than most of the Pessac pack right now.—J.M.* (90-93/100)

JancisRobinson.com – 17,5+/20pts – JR: *Deep crimson with some evolution at the rim. Really classy lift on the nose with a suggestion of sandalwood. Smooth as a baby's bottom but with real pace and energy as well as fantastically classic fruit and still quite a bit of tannin in evidence. A combination of St-Julien's immaculate balance with the château's usual extra degree of ripeness. Not flashy. Really very impressive indeed. But not quite ready.* - 03/2021

Vinous.com - 95pts - AG: *The 2014 Léoville Poyferré is gorgeous. Dark, sumptuous and ample on the palate, it possesses remarkable depth. Dark cherry, plum, smoke, scorched earth, licorice and menthol all flesh out as this radiant, deeply expressive wine shows off its considerable pedigree. The 2014 is going to need time to fully come together, but it is super-impressive. Tasted two times.* - 02/2017

Vinous.com – 95 pts – NM: *The 2014 Léoville Poyferré has a very complex bouquet with blackberry, bilberry, crushed stone, cedar and hints of violet. It is extremely focused, intense rather than overtly powerful. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp and generous, conveying much more tension and precision than the Léoville Las-Cases. It gradually fans out in the second half with real mineralité, quite profound in the context of the vintage. Outstanding. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.* - 03/2018