Château Léoville Poyferré 2016

The magic of the summer solstice

As the saying goes, “After the rain comes the sun.”  This rang true on June 21st, the first day of summer.  Suddenly, as if by magic, the sun shone brightly and continued until harvest, bringing on a salutary dry spell after winter and a rainy spring.

Sumptuous fruitiness, unctuosity of 2009, balance and density of 2010…  Such are the characteristics of 2016, with remarkable length on the palate, the seduction and elegance of one of the greatest vintages.

Press reviews

Vinous Media – Neal Martin : 97 (16.04.2026)

“The 2016 Léoville Poyferré is beautifully perfumed on the nose, with a mixture of black and blueberry fruit, violet and cedar, exquisite purity, and the oak is seamlessly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied, with pliant tannins, fleshy yet there is real backbone here, filigree tannin, and a precise, mineral-rich, quite sensual finish. Superb.”

Inside Bordeaux – Jane Anson : 98 (05.02.2026)

“Immediate depths straight off the aromatics, this is standout in a very strong lineup. Enticiting and confident, full of estate signature, juicy and elongated tannins, spiced black fruits, baking spice, crème de cassis, tobacco and sandalwood. 80% new oak for ageing, now fully integrated but still giving a smoky kick.”

Vinous Media – Neal Martin : 96 (20.09.2022)

“The 2016 Léoville Poyferré appears to have closed up a bit on the nose, perhaps a little cowed by the strong showing of the 2015 on this occasion. It is very pure and begins to unfurl with aeration, but the aromatics are not coming out to play today. The palate is medium-bodied with fine boned tannins, beautifully proportioned and symmetrical. The oak is seamlessly integrated with a citrus touch on the finish. This will be awesome, but it will need time in bottle.”

James Suckling.com – James Suckling : 97 (02.03.2021)

“A difficult vintage, although properties such as this, close to the protective environment of the Gironde, suffered much less with the frost. Aromatically this feels dense and structured, although I feel it is showing a little dusty evolution at the rim. It has a quite delightful nose, even if the oak is a more evident contributor here, the smoked blackcurrant and damson fruits swirled with ribbons of cedar, pencil shavings, white peach, white freesia and menthol, with a very elegant integration. The palate is medium-bodied and restrained in style, with a supple and svelte texture. At its heart is a fine layering of ripe tannins, perfume, menthol-infused fruit and white peach. Finely composed and svelte, I can see this evolving slowly over a decade or more to a state of ethereal elegance. Well done.”

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