2022 Léoville-Poyferré, St-Julien

Intense, powerful, delicious, creamy raspberry and black cherry fruits, textured and confident in its tannic grip, with a freshness that runs from opening to close of play. Underlines just how well St Julien delivered in 2022. Sara Lecompte-Cuvelier director and co-owner.

The 2022 Léoville-Poyferré is a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc, and the élevage was 18 to 20 months in 80% new oak. A smoky, brooding nose here, with dense layers of damson, currant and blackberry fruit, perfumed with rose petal, white peach, orange and mint, very defined and pure, and clearly elevated several steps above the rest of the Cuvelier range (which includes Moulin Riche and Le Crock as well as the Poyferré second wine). The palate shows a rather accessible charm compared to the wine from Léoville-Barton, perhaps the effect of the Merlot showing though, being dark, dense and brooding yet texturally accessible, with layers of olive, blackberry, tar and black pepper set over a very tightly knit and finely pointed core of tannin. This is just delightful, with fabulous ripeness and substance, with wonderfully dark fruit, and an integrated structure which demands a decade or two of cellar time. A superb wine with a long, lingering core of tannin;a wine which buyers may well end up leaving to their children. Or grandchildren. Remarkable. (CK)

The 2022 vintage of Léoville Poyferré is plush and powerful yet retains its signature refinement. The nose opens with layers of blackcurrant, ripe blackberry, and dark cherry, accented by cedar, violets, and a touch of cocoa. On the palate, it's full-bodied and concentrated, showing ripe fruit richness balanced by fresh acidity and polished, fine-grained tannins. There's a depth of cassis, graphite, and dark chocolate with hints of spice and tobacco emerging as it unfolds. The finish is long and structured, suggesting superb aging potential while still offering immediate charm in its youthful fruit. It strikes the perfect balance between power and finesse, showing why Saint-Julien remains one of Bordeaux's most consistent appellations.