The spectacular 2003 Leoville Poyferre exhibits a dense purple color with a touch of lightening at the edge as well as notes of creosote, barbecue smoke, jammy black currants, licorice and spice box. This intense, voluptuously textured, full-bodied St.-Julien possesses low acidity and ripe tannin. Still fresh and exuberant, it is just entering its plateau of full maturity where it should remain for 10-15+ years.

Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #214, Aug 2014)

So much blue fruit here, together with mushrooms and dried cherries. Some flowers, too. Full-bodied with dusty, chewy tannins. Velvety. Lots of everything here, in a slightly old-school way. A tiny bit dry on the finish. Drink or hold. March 2021

This is drinking just great today. Instantly, you are treated to layers of luscious, opulent, sweet, ripe fruit that coats your palate. Silky, full-bodied, rich and flamboyant, if you have a bottle and you're waiting for the right moment, that moment is now! Pull a cork and enjoy it!!! The wine is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Tasted Sept 2023

Smells really lovely, you get that burnt caramel note, cola, sour cherry, some bramble blackcurrant and dried flowers in the background. Really chewy and mouth filling, I love the texture - tannins, fruit and acidity are well integrated and gently mouth filling - a charming success without the markers of the hot vintage. You get the minerality on the tongue, the soft cinnamon and turmeric spice with blackcurrant and blackberry fruits and a cooling, lifted finish. Excellent expression. A joy to drink now, and perfect with food. A fantastic 2003. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. Drinking Window: 2022 - 2036
Tasted by: Georgina Hindle (at Château Léoville Poyferré, 30 Mar 2022)
Part of Top Bordeaux wines for Christmas: vintage by vintage

The 2003 Léoville-Poyferré has always been one of this infamous vintage’s success stories. Perhaps in recent years it has lost some of its vigour on the nose with black plum, brown spices, leather and that light Bovril aroma, but there is better delineation than many others. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and quite savoury. It is beginning to show some dryness and little monotony on the finish. I wonder whether its best days are behind it? Still a very decent showing however. Tasted at the Léoville-Poyferré vertical at the château with Sara Lecompte Cuvelier. Sept 2022

Quality 858 | Brand 971 | Economics 827 | buzz brand
Quality: Above the average quality score of its peer group for the 2003 vintage, 712 Brand: We found this wine on 22 of the world's top restaurant wine lists, including Napa Wine Bar & Kitchen Economics: Above its peer group average price of £50 for the 2003 vintage Production: Higher production than its peer group average of 186,000 bottles

- www.wine-lister.com June 2017