Château Léoville Poyferré 2009

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. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2040.

Solid notes of steeped black currant, ganache-coated fig and plum eau de vie pump along in this very dark red, but with well-integrated structure. Long and winey through the finish, with the grip extending everything nicely. Best from 2016 through 2026. 17,665 cases made.

An immensely structured wine, packed with dark tannins promising aging potential. It is complex, powerful, layered with new wood and concentration, finishing with dark plum fruits and acidity.

On the initial attack, this delightful wine offered intense aromas of sweet oak spice, ripe blackcurrant fruit, smoke, and leather. The tannins are still slightly angular, but the balance between the grip, the lush fruit, and the fresh acidity suggests the wine is on its way to a marvellous equilibrium and should continue to improve for years to come. This wine was my favourite of the initial flight of six, its nobility coming through clearly in the elegance of the finish. 5% Cabernet Franc completes the blend.

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.

Tar and liquorice, pure cassis syrup and black cherry. Very finely ground tannin with a drying, still quite astringent feel. Wire wool texture. Warm and full with a little heat to finish. Perhaps just a little herby character on the length. (RH)

The 2009 Léoville-Poyferré is intense but beautifully controlled on the nose with an enticing but not exotic mélange of red and black fruit laced with pencil box and smoke. Superb intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins, brisk and spicy, brimming with energy and fanning out gloriously towards the finish. There is nothing overblown or extravagant, yet it harnesses the precocity of the vintage to glorious effect. Drinking supremely well now and for a number of years. Tasted at the Léoville-Poyferré vertical at the château with Sara Lecompte Cuvelier.

Espresso, licorice, smoke, black and red currants, blackberries, and roses create the nose. On the palate, the wine is powerful, lush, full-bodied, rich, deep, and long. The fruits are sweet, ripe, opulent, flamboyant, and attention-seeking. They are also pure, fresh, clean, and intense. There are no hard edges at any step. The lingering finish al close to seamless. It is almost impossible to put your glass down without taking another sip. This is stunning. But as good as it is now, it is only going to get better over the next few decades. Drink from 2027-2050.

Dark ruby garnet colour, purple reflections, delicate brightening on the rim. Candied orange zest, ripe dark berries, hints of blackberries and cassis, light precious wood savouriness, fine nougat. Powerful, full-bodied, ripe cherries, vivid, ripe tannins, chocolaty and persistent, mineral touch and savoury nuances on the finish, chocolaty in the aftertaste, approaching its drinking window, one or two years of patience would still be good, a complex food wine.

Plenty of dark ripe fruit, cocoa bean, coffee, blackcurrant, blackberry and fine spices - the wine has an impeccable structure, purity, fresh, risp dark fruit, round, concentrated, immensely long finish, superb stuff!

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.

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc. Nearly 14% ABV! Extremely dark purple with lilac and violet highlights. Wild Cabernet Sauvignon bouquet, a hint of Napa-style eucalyptus in a chocolate-and-blackberry nose, freshly cracked black pepper. On the palate, plenty of creamy texture and still some spicy bite, but also tremendous concentration and power. A powerhouse Poyferré that will only reach an initial maturity in 10 years, and even then should still come across like a kind of “anvil Terminator.”

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc. Almost 14% vol.! Extremely dark purple with lilac and violet glints. Wild Cabernet Sauvignon bouquet, a touch of Napa-style eucalyptus and mint in a chocolate-and-blackberry nose, freshly cracked black pepper; on the outside quite a lot of smoothness, inside a spicy, piquant edge that still needs time to be digested—or integrated. Fine, sandy texture with enormous concentration, power and force that call for polish and patience. A power Poyferré that will only show its first signs of maturity in 10 years and will then be something of an “anvil-Terminator.” Tasted several times. (19/20). 19: Deep, still very dark purple. The bouquet feels hot and shows very ripe fruit notes: Amarena cherries, black cherry compote, grenadine, nut pastries, black bread crust and sweet soy sauce. On the one hand the nose reveals power; on the other you sense that there is much more to come in the near future. On the palate, young and impetuous, showing very present tannins that are correspondingly demanding. Blind, I would have guessed a Maremma Cabernet. It will never be fine—but certainly great! (19/20). 20: Extremely dark; purple-black. Gigantic, Cabernet-driven bouquet. An aromatic nasal power like no other. Black cherries, dark chocolate, coffee, mint, peppercorns and wild rosemary. Plus, of course, all the black berries that belong in a Cabernet parade. On the palate, mighty and in its basic stance almost arrogant. It’s a brute that would fit better in Saint-Estèphe. But that’s generally what one expects from a great Poyferré. Decant three hours—at least. Potential for an extremely long life. (19/20)

Intense and concentrated, these were the years when Poyferré was turning up the exuberance, and this is intense but clearly great quality. You'll find crème de cassis, star anise, incense, cigar box, cassis and blackberry. Unusually for 2009, this is not yet ready and needs another four or five years to fully soften and open, but has got so much life ahead of it. Harvest September 29 to 12 October. 80% new oak.

The 2009 Leoville Poyferre is medium to deep garnet-brick in color. It bursts from the glass with bombastic notions of kirsch, raspberry preserves, warm cassis, and stewed plums, plus suggestions of Ceylon tea, candied violets, and Indian spices. Medium-bodied, the palate is soft, plush, and seductive, delivering seamless freshness to lift the perfumed fruit to a long finish.

A magnificent wine with a broad profile, offering a smooth, deep and beautifully balanced palate. The fruit is ripe without being stewed, and the finish is superb.

Dense and supple, with a lovely, harmonious mid-palate, fine substance and a round finish.

Logo on the cork: LBG Deep, intense colour. A complex, profound nose. Pure notes of fruit, cedar and cardamom. A very hedonistic palate where the wine seems to glide effortlessly, with a silky texture, while offering breadth, richness and a very long, complex finish. A real treat you simply have to open.