Densely-structured fruit backed up by firm tannins, not as ready to drink as some of the St-Juliens, and I would give it another three or four years to fully soften - or keep open for a good few hours before drinking. This is impressive for the vintage, it delivers both precision and creamy blackberry fruit. 6% Petit Verdot completes the blend. Drinking Window 2021 - 2040
Blind tasted by Jane Anson (at Bordeaux, 19 Feb 2021)
Part of Bordeaux 2011: The top-rated wines tasted 10 years on

This property, which has been on a qualitative tear over the last generation, has produced one of the most successful wines of 2011. A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, it is broad, rich, medium to full-bodied and dense. It boasts an inky/purple color as well as lots of concentration, silky tannins, and a bigger, richer mouthfeel than any of its St.-Julien peers. The result is one of the stars of the vintage. 92-94 points – Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #212, April 2014)

Really delicious, juicy style - lots of sweet fruit in the core wrapped up in nice firm tannins and again, there is vibrant acidity which gives a genuine sense of energy. Enticing mocha, toasty and vanilla notes both on the nose and palate. One of the best wines of the day and like many other overlooked vintages (1999, 2001 for example) this will make great drinking both in its youth and with some age. Shows real vivacity: a great Poyferre.

Blackberry and currant aromas with hints of minerals. Full body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. Chewy and reserved. Just the right amount of fruit covering the tannins. Harmony for the vintage. Better in 2017 – jamessuckling.com, Feb 2014

The Chateau Leoville Poyferre is a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 6% Cabernet Franc picked between 19th September and 1st October, sorted by optical machine. Astonishingly, it has a higher IPT than in 2010 at 94 compared to 82 last year. It has an attractive bouquet with fine delineation and freshness, fine tension and poise with exuberant blackberry and wild strawberry fruit infused with cedar and crushed stone. The palate is medium-bodied with tensile tannins, a sharp thread of citric acidity and very good weight. It lacks a little harmony towards the finish that shows a little hardness, but I think this will soften to turn out to be one of the finest Saint Julien wines in a difficult vintage.– eRobertParker.com, May 2012

[58CS/30M/6PV/6CF] Dense mineral and blackberry-ripe Cabernet to smell; elegant, concentrated, very fine textured in tannin, fresh in acidity; long, even, complete palate in a firm, linear, long term style with a freshly ripe, subtley aromatic, gravelly flavour; classy St Julien with the classic fine Left Bank claret profile of elegance, freshness, complexity, definition, and fine fruit and aroma persistence. Slightly austere, but nothing mean; will need 12-15 years. 2024-38 [M.Schuster, Bordeaux Mar/Apr 2012]

Shows a warm charcoal note from the start, backed by melted fig, crushed blackberry and steeped black currant fruit. A strong graphite edge pins down the finish. Dark in profile, but defined and well-suited to mid-term cellaring. A very solid effort. Best from 2016 through 2026. – James Molesworth (WineSpectator.com, March 2014)

Quality 893 | Brand 971 | Economics 678 | buzz brand
Quality: The highest Quality score in its peer group for the 2011 vintage, at 893 compared to a peer group average of 725 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 £34 for the 2011 vintage Production: Higher production than its peer group average of 186,000 bottles

- www.wine-lister.com June 2017