2018 Pavillon de Leoville Poyferre
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Tasting notes
Full bottle 1,303 g. Assemblage on the back label! 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. Ah, no. It's not the assemblage but the make-up of the vineyard. Mid to deep blackish garnet. Warm, toasty nose and remarkably fresh fruit. It just comes to a bit of a full stop on the pretty dry end with some tannin still in evidence. Hints of treacle toffee. Relatively rich and glamorous but manages freshness too. A very successful 2018 that could pass for a grand vin. (JR)
Critic scores
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Deep crimson. Fruit without that much character or definition. Ticks the boxes without being stunning. Dry tannins on the end. (JR)
The second wine from this terrific estate is the 2018 Pavillon De Léoville Poyferré, a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend that includes 25% Merlot and a tiny amount of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Lots of pure cassis and leafy tobacco notes define the bouquet, and it's full-bodied, with a round, expansive mid-palate, velvety tannins, and just a beautiful mix of opulence and elegance. It's already hard to resist yet should show more complexity with 2-4 years of bottle age and will keep for 10-15 years with no issues.
About the producer
Ch. Léoville-Poyferré is a Second Growth Saint-Julien property that was once part of the same estate as Ch. Léoville Barton and Ch. Léoville Las Cases. It has the most complex and varied soils of the three and produces the most voluptuous, seductive style of wine.