97

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

The 2020 Léoville-Poyferré is every bit as impressive as it was from barrel. If anything, it has gained in freshness and vibrancy with élevage. Dark cherry, plum, mocha, graphite and a kiss of French oak are some of the many notes that infuse the 2020 with tons of character. I especially admire its vertical energy and buttoned up personality. In some recent vintages Léoville-Poyferré has been quite showy, but the 2020 also has a more nuanced side that is hugely appealing. 12/2022

96

Neal Martin

Vinous

The 2020 Léoville Poyferré was bottled in June. It has a very intense nose, displaying more black fruit than its showing from barrel, also the opulence tempered since its bottling. Fine mineralité, hints of clove and bay leaf develop with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a smooth opening, still slightly lactic in style as I remarked from barrel, yet with immense depth and plenty of finesse. The structure really comes through on the finish, a pinch of cracked black pepper and tobacco lending complexity. This is a great Léoville Poyferré that will give more than four decades of enjoyment, though I advise waiting several years before broaching. 12/2022

94+

William Kelley

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate

A rich, powerful wine, the 2020 Léoville Poyferré offers up aromas of sweet berries, blueberry liqueur, exotic spices, incense and creamy new oak. Full-bodied, broad and layered, it's deep and concentrated, its ample core of fruit only partially concealing a hefty payload of sweet, powdery, generously extracted tannin. Poyferré is generally the most flamboyant and demonstrative of the three Léovilles, but in 2020, it's chunkier, broader shouldered and more brooding than usual. 04/2023

96

Jean-Marc Quarin

Jean-Marc Quarin

Couleur noire, aux reflets pourpres. Nez intense, fin, au fruité pur, mûr et légèrement vanillé. Nuances de cerise et de framboise à l’agitation. Complexe. Moelleux et velouté en entrée de bouche, parfumé et fondant au milieu, riche en saveurs, le vin évolue dense et complexe, sur une longue finale sèveuse, avec un poil de bois pour l’instant. Cependant, ce qui reste après l’avoir craché est d’une belle noblesse. Assemblage : 64 % cabernet sauvignon, 31 % merlot, 3 % cabernet franc, 2 % petit verdot. Degré d’alcool : 13°7 (moyenne -). Rendement : 35,9 hl/ha.

96

James Suckling

James Suckling

This is really floral on the nose with violets and roses, and some black berries and dark cherries. It’s medium- to full-bodied with firm and polished tannins, and plenty of hazelnut and milk chocolate. Structured, yet so finely textured. So attractive and enticing now but needs three or four years to show what it has. Try after 2026. 05/2023