Château Léoville Poyferré 2008

The prodigious classical latecomer

Three essential elements enabled us to wait until the beginning of October for optimal ripeness : Man’s hard work, the Saint-Julien “terroir” and the welcome September sun.

Press reviews

Decanter – Georgina Hindle : 95 (21.07.2022)

“You’re getting the aged, mature aromas; cola, toffee, caramel, vanilla and blackcurrant. Slightly subdued on the palate. still knitted down but so well structured, this will age for years to come. The flavours fill the mouth, soft and succulent, velvety tannins have texture and grip with touches of spice lingering at the back – clove and liquorice with dark cocoa powder. A true gourmet wine that you want a delicious plate of food to soften and expand the different aspects going on. Still succulent and mouth watering, the mature notes coming through but still with the concentration and elegance. A great effort from the difficult 2008 vintage.”

The Wine Doctor – Chris Kissack : 95 (19.09.2018)

“The nose here is fabulously aromatic and bright, the very taut black cherry and blackcurrant fruit that leaps from the glass swirled with matchsticky freshness. It is impressively dark and dense, yet savoury. The texture on the palate is impressive, the flavour profile incredibly dark, brooding and yet also perfumed, with black plum substance. A hugely impressive composition here, and the tannins seem in keeping with the palate, hugely velvety and rich, but not out of synchrony with the rest of the wine. A dark, matchsticky finish rounds it off, save for a fading finish of admittedly rather dry tannins, which will need another five-or-more years to resolve, and some lingering savoury black fruits.”

JamesSuckling.com – James Suckling : 93 (13.06.2016)

“I am impressed with the fruit and velvety tannins. Full and deliciously fruity with soft tannins and rich fruit. Blueberry. Open and gorgeous. Impressive for the vintage.”

The Wine Advocate – Robert Parker : 92-94 (01.05.2011)

“One of the finest over-achieving efforts in this vintage as well as a “best buy” for a top-flight St.-Julien, this 2008 is an irresistible success. It reveals an opaque ruby/purple color, lots of unctuosity and a boatload of sweet cassis and black cherry fruit intertwined with notions of licorice, smoke and oak. Full-bodied, remarkably concentrated and stunningly pure and textured, this sensational wine is already drinking well, and will be even better with 2-3 years of cellaring. It should last for 20-25 years. Bravo!”