Cult Wine

2018 Chateau Leoville Poyferre, St Julien, Bordeaux, France


Bottle or Case: Single Bottle
Price:
Sale price£169.00

2018 Chateau Leoville Poyferre, St Julien, Bordeaux, France

Cult Wine

OVERVIEW

The 2018 Leoville Poyferre is a stunning, 100 point 'super second' from a hot recent vintage. Awarded 100 Points and the wine of the year award from Jeb Dunnuck, all the critics agree that the 2018 Poyferre is a standout from this heated vintage that will last for decades. An extremely rare 19/20 was also bestowed upon the wine directly from the palate of Jancis Robinson too.

On a personal note, it was the wines of Leoville Poyferre, most specifically the 2005 vintage that first sparked the passion for wine of our dear leader and founder Sarah here at Coolersomm who is incredibly proud to stock their 100 point vintage.

CRITIC REVIEWS

Every bit as good as the 2009, and I think better than the 2010 and 2016, the 2018 Château Léoville Poyferré is a total thrill that tops out my scale. Based on 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, its dense purple hue is followed by an incredible, full-bodied monster of a wine that, despite massive amounts of fruit, tannins, and extract, still stays weightless and ethereal, with incredible purity. Loaded with notions of crème de cassis, spring flowers, tobacco, violets, charcoal, and cedar pencil, it's extraordinarily concentrated, flawlessly balanced, and has a finish that won't quit. This is a legendary wine in the making. Give bottles 7-8 years, a decade would be even better, and it will keep for 40-50 years. Hats off to the Cuvelier family for another extraordinary wine! Wine of the Year 2021. 100 Points. Jeb Dunnuck (March 2021)

Dark cherry, plum, spice and cacao with earthy notes and wood undertones. Cloves, too. Full-bodied, yet in control and poised. Balanced, complex and flavorful. Firm tannins and a long, precise finish. It goes on and on. Structured is the word. Try after 2025. 97 Points. James Suckling (March 2021)

Tasted blind. A popular wine with the group! Very pleasingly rich but within a (very obvious) tannic framework. Very youthful. Yet very rich. This is glorious! Very, very long. 14.5% Drink 2030 – 2055 19/20 Points. Jancis Robinson (Feb 2022)

FOOD PAIRING INSPIRATION

Pair this wine with beef wellington or a special Sunday lunch.

VINTAGE AND WINEMAKING

The 2018 vintage will long be remembered for the incredible heat wave during the week of the harvest when Bordeaux roasted in 30°c weather. St Julien enjoyed a mild winter, a wet spring and then an extremely hot, dry summer which helped cure the vines of disease and dried out the rot from the spring deluges.

Overall, 2018 has been lauded as the best for St Julien on the left bank and the very best produced deep, inky wines with high alcohol and strong acidity, ideal for maturing.

PRODUCER NOTES

Chateau Leoville Poyferre covers 80 hectares and is planted with primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and a small percentage of Petit Verdot. 

The vineyards are low lying with the highest point being 20 metres above sea level. The vineyards are divided into 5 large parcels that are scattered around the appellation. 

The estate was modernized in 1984 and since then they have continued with innovations and renovations on the estate. In 2010 the vat rooms were replaced and they also moved form large vats to stainless steel double skin vats. They have also started using larger vats, going from 60 hectolitres to 165 hectolitres.  By using bigger and more barrels, they can do very precise vinifications on a parcel by parcel basis. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrels.

Chateau Leoville Poyferre can trace its origins back to 1638 but it's modern history starts in 1920 when the estate was bought by the Cuvelier family. In 1979 Didier Cuvelier became the first member of the family to manage the estate. Previously, the family had allowed their vine growing neighbours to manage the property.

Didier brought in new technologies and more importantly, his former professor, Emile Peynaud to run the estate. As well as modernizing the wine making facilities. he also replanted 20 hectares and since then the estate had continued to replant. Didier also brought Michel Rolland on board to consult in the winemaker of Leoville Poyferre. 

The Chateau was classified as a second growth in the 1855 classification. Plantings in the 80 hectare vineyard are 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc.

NEED ADVICE? ASK A SOMM LIVE

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SERVICE AND STORAGE TIPS

The wine should be stored over the longer term at 12c. We recommend this wine be brought up to around 15.5c for service. Young wines should be decanted 2-4 hours before consumption. Older wines can be decanted to remove sediment but otherwise do not need to be decanted before drinking.  

DELIVERY INFORMATION

Delivery is free when you spend over £150. For orders under this amount then a £9.99 delivery charge will be applied.

We use a tracked DPD delivery service who provide text and email tracking updates.

Every bottle sold by CoolerSomm is subject to our quality guarantee. If a wine is corked or faulty, we will replace it.

2018 Chateau Leoville Poyferre, St Julien, Bordeaux, France

Wine Card
Wine Producer Leoville Poyferre
Wine Region Bordeaux
Wine Classification AOC St Julien
Wine Type Red
Grape Variety Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Vintage 2018
Vintage Quality Extraordinary - Parker
Maturity Drinking Now - Will improve
Body Full Bodied
Sweetness Dry
Alcohol % 13.5%
Bottle Type Bordeaux 75cl
Serving Temperature 17-18°C
Food Pairing Rare Steak, Beef, Game, Mushroom
Awards 100 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
97 Points - James Molesworth
97 Points - James Suckling
19 Points - Jancis Robinson

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