2012 Château Léoville-Poyferré

Description

“Barrel sample. This very ripe, full-bodied wine is powered by sweet blackberries and solid tannins. It is a full, concentrated and complex wine that has a great future.” (4/2013) Wine Enthusiast

“On the nose and palate this red suggests red and black plums with cedar notes and hints of cloves. Full body, firm tannins, fresh acidity and an intense finish. Minerally, too. Polished tannins. Drink in 2020.” (2/2015) James Suckling

“Owned by the Cuvelier family since 1920, this property over the last 20 years has made some great wines in the Médoc. The 2012, a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc, is opaque purple, thick-looking, and from bottle much more impressive than it was from barrel. This very extracted, rich, full-bodied, masculine Léoville Poyferré needs a good 5-8 years of bottle age and should evolve well for at least 20-25 years. Loads of blackberry and cassis, crushed rock and graphite notes are present in this medium to full-bodied, impressively concentrated and pure wine. Forget it for a while, as this is one of the bigger, richer Médocs.” (4/2015) Robert Parker Wine Advocate 

“A solid, muscular version, with a slightly chewy feel along the edges, while the core of steeped plum, anise and blackberry paste waits in reserve. Reveals ample graphite details on the finish, with a warm fruitcake note chiming in. Just needs some cellaring to lose the burly edge. Best from 2017 through 2024.” (2/2015) Wine Spectator

“Dark purple. Some real energy hidden in this, not desperately expressive wine. Voluptuous on the palate. Gosh what a lot of effort has gone into this. Full marks for effort…Lots of lusciousness and then it’s drawn to a dry close like someone tightening a purse string. Though I’d guess not too much purse-string tightening while making this…Appealing freshness. Drink 2022-2038.” (4/2013) Jancis Robinson

“Deep ruby. Subdued aromas of smoky blackberry and violet, along with a slightly raw herbal/peppery component. Then supple and round in the mouth, but with a diffuse quality to the dark berry and chocolate flavors.” (5/2013) Stephen Tanzer