Chateau Leoville Poyferre

About the producer

Perhaps the most seductive of all the Léovilles, Poyferré has been guided back to greatness by Didier Cuvelier, who took over the management of the property in 1979. The Cuvelier family purchased the Saint-Julien estate in 1920 and today, his legacy has been handed to his cousin, Sara Lecompte Cuvelier. With a renewed energy, commitment and passion, Sara has already inscribed two outstanding vintages to her tenure.

If you're wondering why there are three Léoville wine properties in this appellation: it is down to the French Revolution. The estate was seized by the state and auctioned off, giving birth to Léoville Barton, Léoville-Las Cases and Léoville Poyferré.

In The Vineyard

There has been considerable replanting at Léoville Poyferré, reducing the proportion of Merlot and raising the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, which is better suited to crafting fine, long-lived wines on its gravel-rich lands. As a result, the average age of vines is around 20-25 years.

In the winery

One of the quirks of Léoville Poyferré is its division of production: the offices and the barrel rooms are on one side of the road, while the winery lies on the other meaning the wine is pumped by subterranean pipes under the streets of Saint-Julien. The wines became a little more weighty after Michel Rolland joined as a consultant in 1994. He advised harvesting later, providing riper grapes, and increased the percentage of new oak. Their hard work was rewarded when Robert Parker awarded the 2009 vintage the perfect 100-point score.

The 2019 Vintage

A few words from Sara Lecompte Cuvelier, managing director of Château Léoville-Poyferré, on the 2019 vintage.

The 2019 growing season was incredibly dry and hot. How did you cope with the drought and heat spikes and other climatic pressures during the growing season?

We undertook early deleafing on both sides of the rows of vines, which helped reduce evapotranspiration. The vines were consequently less stressed and naturally coped with the dry weather conditions. Rainfall came at the right time, in particular, just before harvest. This allowed the Merlot to attain perfect maturity, having slowed down due to the hot and dry conditions of the vintage.

Based on the specific climatic conditions of 2019 did you have to modify any of the winemaking?

The rain just before harvest fattened the grapes a little making them slightly less concentrated than the 2018 vintage. As the bunches were picked in such good health, the pre-fermentation cold macerations lasted 6 days. The average vatting time was 30 days and the malolactic fermentations were carried out without any difficulty.

Tannins play such a vital and defining role in the quality of Bordeaux red wines. How did you manage tannin extraction in 2019?

The extraction potential for tannins in this particular vintage was naturally effortless. Our approach is firstly managed by in house lab testing to give us a guideline for the alcoholic fermentations. Pump overs are then meticulously monitored, per vat in plot selections. For this particular vintage, the pump overs were completely slowed down or stopped once the must had reached a density of 1030 to avoid extracting tannins from the pips.

Can you tell us about the specific blend you used for the 2019 vintage?

The blend is made up of 27% Merlot, 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Whilst the blend is a relatively classic one for Léoville Poyferré concerning the Merlot and Cabernet, we usually have around 5% of Petit Verdot. However, in 2019, one of the plots of Petit Verdot had a higher yield and the grapes did not attain the optimum quality level for the Grand Vin.

How did you work up to final blend?

Several blend tastings are held in February and March with the technical team and proprietors, as well as consultant Michel Rolland. Vinifications being carried out by plot selections, each one is in turn tasted before being blended.

Regardless of how we come to it, we are always seeking to express the intangible; the delicate balance that is offered by the terroir every vintage.

What do you feel has had the biggest effect on the final taste profile of the 2019 vintage?

2019 is a vintage that is defined by a thermal context that is warmer than average.

The temperatures and hours of sunshine from the end of June through to July allowed a good degradation of the vegetal aroma components in the grapes along with an important production of polyphenols. Similarly; 2018 & 2011.

The diurnal range of August and September encouraged the aromatic ripeness (retaining freshness) as well as the accumulation of anthocyanins in the grapes. Similarly; 2018, 2010 & 2009

Hydric stress, although only moderate but present throughout the cycle encouraged the ripeness of polyphenols and the concentration of sugars. Similarly; 2018, 2016 & 2010.

How does 2019 compare to other vintages?

The 2019 vintage combines power and freshness with a creamy unctuosity on the palate which makes it very easy to enjoy – even today! Tasting the wine at this stage reminds us of the 2009 vintage with its sunny characteristics but the drop in temperatures from the beginning of harvest time gives this vintage a freshness in the expression of these aromas.

For the second year running, the climate has offered us time, time to wait to harvest each plot at optimal ripeness. It was also one of the rare years that we were happy to see some rainfall just before harvest!

Read the full report: Bordeaux 2019 A Vintage Preview

About the producer

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2019 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

96.2

£115.00

Mags

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 5 Marketplace

£677.00

12x75cl

£677.00

0 Immediate | 5 Marketplace

6xMags

0 Immediate | 8 Marketplace

£677.00

6xMags

£677.00

0 Immediate | 8 Marketplace

6x75cl

0 Immediate | 119 Marketplace

£339.00

6x75cl

£339.00

0 Immediate | 119 Marketplace

6x37.5cl

0 Immediate | 22 Marketplace

£176.00

6x37.5cl

£176.00

0 Immediate | 22 Marketplace

Mags

0 Immediate | 5 Marketplace

£115.00

Mags

£115.00

0 Immediate | 5 Marketplace

2018 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

96.8

£402.00

6x75cl

6xMags

0 Immediate | 5 Marketplace

£807.00

6xMags

£807.00

0 Immediate | 5 Marketplace

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 50 Marketplace

£807.00

12x75cl

£807.00

0 Immediate | 50 Marketplace

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£563.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

6x75cl

0 Immediate | 5 Marketplace

£402.00

6x75cl

£402.00

0 Immediate | 5 Marketplace

2017 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

93.8

£57.00

Bts

6xMags

0 Immediate | 27 Marketplace

£647.00

6xMags

£647.00

0 Immediate | 27 Marketplace

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 39 Marketplace

£647.00

12x75cl

£647.00

0 Immediate | 39 Marketplace

6x75cl

0 Immediate | 70 Marketplace

£324.00

6x75cl

£324.00

0 Immediate | 70 Marketplace

Bts

0 Immediate | 6 Marketplace

£57.00

Bts

£57.00

0 Immediate | 6 Marketplace

2015 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

94.3

£409.00

6x75cl

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 89 Marketplace

£818.00

12x75cl

£818.00

0 Immediate | 89 Marketplace

6xMags

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

£818.00

6xMags

£818.00

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£571.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

6x75cl

0 Immediate | 67 Marketplace

£409.00

6x75cl

£409.00

0 Immediate | 67 Marketplace

2014 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

93.6

£336.00

6x75cl

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 89 Marketplace

£671.00

12x75cl

£671.00

0 Immediate | 89 Marketplace

6xMags

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

£671.00

6xMags

£671.00

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£470.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

6x75cl

0 Immediate | 80 Marketplace

£336.00

6x75cl

£336.00

0 Immediate | 80 Marketplace

2013 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

91.0

£233.00

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

£475.00

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

6x75cl

0 Immediate | 27 Marketplace

£339.00

6x75cl

£339.00

0 Immediate | 27 Marketplace

0 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

£233.00

0 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

2010 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

94.4

£550.00

6x75cl

12x75cl

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

£1,100.00

12x75cl

£1,100.00

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

6x75cl

2 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

£550.00

6x75cl

£550.00

2 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

2009 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

95.4

£1,748.00

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£1,748.00

12x75cl

£1,748.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

2007 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

90.0

£432.00

6x75cl

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£864.00

12x75cl

£864.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

6x75cl

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

£432.00

6x75cl

£432.00

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

2006 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

90.5

£192.00

Mags

6xMags

PR
Provenance: Ex Chateau

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£1,140.00

6xMags

PR
Provenance: Ex Chateau

£1,140.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

12x75cl

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

Duty Paid

£687.00

12x75cl

£687.00

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

Duty Paid

12x75cl

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

£687.00

12x75cl

£687.00

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

Mags

PR
Provenance: Ex Chateau

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£192.00

Mags

PR
Provenance: Ex Chateau

£192.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

2005 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

92.5

£83.00

Bts

0 Immediate | 6 Marketplace

£83.00

Bts

£83.00

0 Immediate | 6 Marketplace

2003 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

95.5

£123.00

Bts

12x75cl

1 Immediate | 15 Marketplace

£1,453.00

12x75cl

£1,453.00

1 Immediate | 15 Marketplace

Bts

0 Immediate | 5 Marketplace

£123.00

Bts

£123.00

0 Immediate | 5 Marketplace

2002 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

90.0

£63.00

Bts

0 Immediate | 7 Marketplace

£63.00

Bts

£63.00

0 Immediate | 7 Marketplace

2001 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

90.0

£1,096.00

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£1,096.00

12x75cl

£1,096.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

2000 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

97.0

£149.00

Bts

12x75cl

8 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

£1,769.00

12x75cl

£1,769.00

8 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

6xMags

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

£1,769.00

6xMags

£1,769.00

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

PR
Provenance: Ex Chateau

0 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

£1,623.00

PR
Provenance: Ex Chateau

£1,623.00

0 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

6x75cl

0 Immediate | 6 Marketplace

£886.00

6x75cl

£886.00

0 Immediate | 6 Marketplace

Bts

0 Immediate | 5 Marketplace

£149.00

Bts

£149.00

0 Immediate | 5 Marketplace

1998 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

89.5

£76.00

Bts

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£884.00

12x75cl

£884.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

Bts

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

£76.00

Bts

£76.00

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

1996 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

91.5

£1,204.00

PR
Provenance: Ex Chateau

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

£1,204.00

PR
Provenance: Ex Chateau

£1,204.00

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

1995 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

91.0

£95.00

Bts

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

£95.00

Bts

£95.00

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

1994 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

87.0

£63.00

Bts

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

£63.00

Bts

£63.00

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

1993 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

87.0

£787.00

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

£787.00

12x75cl

£787.00

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

1989 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

89.0

£147.00

Bts

0 Immediate | 5 Marketplace

£147.00

Bts

£147.00

0 Immediate | 5 Marketplace

1988 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

84.0

£316.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£316.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

1986 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

86.5

£95.00

Bts

LE
Level: TS

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£98.00

Bts

LE
Level: TS

£98.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

Bts

CA
Capsule: Damaged

0 Immediate | 6 Marketplace

£95.00

Bts

CA
Capsule: Damaged

£95.00

0 Immediate | 6 Marketplace

1985 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

89.0

£1,169.00

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£1,169.00

12x75cl

£1,169.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

1981 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

83.0

£120.00

Bts

6x75cl

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

£704.00

6x75cl

£704.00

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

Bts

0 Immediate | 7 Marketplace

£120.00

Bts

£120.00

0 Immediate | 7 Marketplace

1979 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

78.0

£457.00

6x75cl

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

£457.00

6x75cl

£457.00

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

1970 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

65.0

£1,139.00

12x75cl

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

Duty Paid

£1,139.00

12x75cl

£1,139.00

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

Duty Paid

1967 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

£344.00

Mags

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£344.00

Mags

£344.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

1966 Leoville Poyferre

Leoville Poyferre

Bordeaux

83.0

£126.00

Bts

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£1,485.00

12x75cl

£1,485.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

Bts

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

Duty Paid

£126.00

Bts

£126.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

Duty Paid

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