2021 Château Léoville-Poyferré

The 2021 Léoville-Poyferré has developed into a fabulous wine. Surprisingly rich, the 2021 possesses notable depth. Kirsch, blood orange and wildflowers open first, lending a decidedly exotic, perfumed quality. On the palate, the 2021 is fleshy and expressive. There's a bit of new oak that needs to integrate. Otherwise, the 2021 is impeccably balanced. Tasted two times.

- Antonio Galloni (12/2023)

The Grand Vin 2021 Château Léoville Poyferré from this brilliant estate checks in as 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot. It has a serious, concentrated, inward style as well as impressive red and black currant-like fruit supported by notes of graphite, smoked tobacco, spicy oak, and chocolate. With terrific richness, a layered, concentrated mid-palate, and fine tannins, this is clearly one of the gems in the vintage. It needs to be forgotten for just 4-5 years, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it evolve for over two decades. (04/2024)

A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot, the 2021 Leoville Poyferre has a deep garnet-purple color. Notes of blackberries, warm cassis, and kirsch jump from the glass, opening out to an undercurrent of fragrant soil, charcoal, and cinnamon stick. The medium-bodied palate delivers an impressive intensity of vivacious red and black berry flavors, with a fine-grained texture and plenty of freshness, finishing with great length and a compelling perfume. (04/2024)

Dark plum and blackberry fruit is a touch sedate, but has depth and avoids the vintage's grainy feel as it integrates with the solid toast and tobacco notes on the finish, which shows a subtle tug of iron at the very end. Nicely done for the vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2034. 9,279 cases made.

- J.M.

The 2021 Léoville Poyferré opens in the glass with notes of minty berries, dark berry compote, pencil shavings and toasty oak, followed by a medium to full-bodied, deep and dense palate that's quite muscular and extracted, built around a chassis of sweet, abundant tannins that assert themselves on the youthfully firm finish. This will require a bit of patience.

- William Kelley (02/2024)