2009 Léoville-Poyferré, St-Julien (Pre-Arrival)
SKU #1055166
100 points
Jeb Dunnuck
The greatest wine I’ve ever tasted from this address is the 2009 Léoville Poyferré, which is a step up over both the 2000 and the 2010. A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and the balance Cabernet Franc that hit 13.9% alcohol, it offers everything you could ask of a wine and reveals a saturated purple color as well as incredible notes of crème de cassis, blueberries, lead pencil, exotic Spices, and dried flowers. Incredibly full-bodied, super concentrated, deep, and opulent, yet still pure, fresh, and lively, it has sweet tannin and a hedonistic vibe that hides its underlying structure. Drink it anytime over the coming three decades.
(2/2018)
100 points
Wine Advocate
One of the more flamboyant and sumptuous wines of the vintage, this inky/purple-colored St.-Julien reveals thrilling levels of opulence, richness and aromatic pleasures. A soaring bouquet of creme de cassis, charcoal, graphite and spring flowers is followed by a super-concentrated wine with silky tannins, stunning amounts of glycerin, a voluptuous, multilayered mouthfeel and nearly 14% natural alcohol. Displaying fabulous definition for such a big, plump, massive, concentrated effort, I suspect the tannin levels are high even though they are largely concealed by lavish amounts of fruit, glycerin and extract. (RP)
(12/2011)
97 points
James Suckling
Beautiful blueberries and blackberries with some blackcurrants and flowers on the nose. Some black olives and crushed stones, too. Full-bodied with creamy tannins and lovely depth. The tannins are so integrated and plush, but fine-grained. Persistent finish. A red that gives wonderful pleasure now, but will continue to do so for decades ahead.
(2/2021)
97 points
Vinous
The 2009 Léoville-Poyferré is a total pleasure bomb. Done in the more opulent style that was the norm then, the 2009 envelops the palate with plush dark fruit and soft contours. It is classic 2009. Our third flight is off with a bang. (AG)
(2/2023)
96 points
Decanter
Rich, exotic and generous, this is still young and firm but light on its feet, dancing through the palate. There's lovely depth to the fruit, with a great silky texture. Those tannins bite in all the right places. Very good indeed. (JA)
(2/2019)
Jancis Robinson
Very sweet, ripe nose is pretty seductive, I must confess. Tea-leaf notes on the flattering nose. Sweet start and very round and gorgeous. OK, the tannins are drier and the palate less concentrated than the 2010 but I love this! 18/20 points (JR)
(3/2021)
K&L Notes
98 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown for Wine Advocate: "Having retreated into its shell, the deep garnet colored 2009 Léoville Poyferré gives up slowly revealing notions of cigar boxes, pencil lead, charcoal, rose hip tea and fragrant earth with a core of preserved plums, crème de cassis, espresso and Indian spices. Full, rich, seductive and voluptuously fruited in the mouth, the palate features firm yet beautifully velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing very long and spicy." (03/2019)