Gorgeous stuff and certainly one of the gems in the vintage, the 2003 Château Léoville Poyferré reveals a healthy ruby/plum hue with no signs of bricking. Ripe currants, sappy tobacco, cedar pencil, and minty herbs all define the aromatics, and it's full-bodied on the palate, with a layered, round, lush texture. Its tannins are soft and beautifully integrated, and it has terrific balance and a gorgeous finish.

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.

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

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

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

In 1855, the estate was still owned by Baron Jean-Marie de Poyferré, who married Jeanne de Las Cases and gave the estate its name. It would stay in their family until 1865. Captures the generosity and spice of 2003, and still going strong at 22 years old, against all odds at the time of this hot, dry harvest. Expect sandalwood, campfire smoke, cedar and black pepper alongside sweet black cherry flesh and supple tannic grip. 80% new oak, at a great moment to drink.

(a blend of 70% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot and 5% petit verdot) Bright medium ruby. Brooding, superripe aromas of black cherry, minerals and chocolate, with a whiff of game. Dense and very ripe, with an explosion of chocolatey fruit in the mid-palate. Despite its sheer size, this is elegant and shapely claret in the making, and not at all deficient in acidity. Ultimately more suave than the 2002, thanks to its lusher texture. Finishes with big but ripe, mouthdusting tannins and superb breadth and persistence.

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

70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. Deep bricky core and some browning at the rim. Very evolved nose of undergrowth, leather – developed but not oxidised. Starting to show a balsamic note with spice/incense. Complex and inviting if fully mature. On the palate, some coffee and quite dry but not as tough as some 2003s have become. Perhaps it is drying out a little. I wouldn’t want to keep this much longer but it still gives pleasure. Almost meaty on the finish. (JH)