Château Léoville Poyferré 2013

A glorious summer

Following a cool damp spring, vine growth got off to a slow start, leading to an exceptionally late flowering. 2013 owes everything to a magnificent summer, especially a gorgeous month of July (the hottest since 1991) with more intense sunshine than August.

Phenolic maturity was not disrupted by water stress. Plot-by-plot harvesting, then vinifications in our conical tanks revealed the best of our terroir despite the atypical conditions of the vintage.

Press reviews

Decanter – Jane Anson : 92 (05.07.2023)

“Even in this vintage, Poyferre is a big, opulent wine, and it has now shed its youthful austerity. It remains dense and oaky on the nose, but it’s voluptuous, too. Although less compact than the nose, the palate remains chewy and extracted, but that gives structure rather than brutality. The fruit remains subdued, but the finish is long and chocolatey.”

The Wine Advocate – Neil Martin : 91 (28.10.2016)

“The 2013 Léoville Poyferré has a lovely nose with simple blackcurrant and wild strawberry fruit, maintaining Didier Cuvelier’s more opulent style while retaining delineation and focus. The palate is medium-bodied with gently grippy tannin, good acidity and structure, not complex but with a very impressive blackberry and cassis finish that lingers in the mouth. Chapeau Monsieur Cuvelier – one of the best Saint Juliens this vintage.”

JamesSuckling.com – James Suckling : 92 (12.02.2016)

“Tight, tannic – this is not yet resolving itself. Once again the quality of the fruit is clear in the sheer beauty of its delivery, enrobed by plump tannins, with a striking sense of vibrancy to the cassis notes. Gourmet and mouth-watering as it opens in the glass; this is a good quality 2012 in what was a tough vintage in Bordeaux. Eucalyptus and menthol notes particularly strong here, but well handled and with the gloss that you want and expect from Chateau Léoville Poyferré.”