Brilliant Poyferré, deep ruby colour, setting the scene for ink, campfire, espresso, mint, cassis and damson. Concentrated but with a delicious balance, this feels effortless and is truly a wine for Bordeaux lovers to seek out. Harvest September 14 to October 5. 80% new oak, 52hl/h yields, biggest since 2004, with more 1st wine than usual because the old Cabernet Sauvignon plots gave quality and quantity (after three low quantity years). Alix Combes new vineyard manager, replacing long time manager Bruno Clenet.

The 2023 Léoville-Poyferré is every bit as compelling as it was en primeur. Silky and aromatic, with gorgeous mid-weight balance, the 2023 impresses with class and understated finesse. Black cherry, lavender, menthol, spice, new leather and licorice are all woven together effortlessly. I especially admire the wine's vibrancy and energy, qualities that build effortlessly into a pristine finish that is impossible to forget.

Heavenly stuff, the 2023 Château Léoville Poyferré checks in as 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot that spent 18-20 months in 80% new French oak. It brings more sexiness and richness than most in the vintage, yet it isn't over the top and plays in the more classic, elegant style of the vintage. Crème de cassis, spring flowers, violets, graphite, and spicy wood all show on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a pure, graceful, and layered mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. I love its purity, and this is just loaded with charm. While it's already hard to resist, it should evolve gracefully on its balance, purity, and elegance. Drink 2030-2055.

Bramble fruit tones on the nose with some floral elements of peony, violet and rose. Smells rich and ripe and quite opulent. Smooth and agile, a lovely energy straight away with bright, almost high-toned fruit, the acidity giving the lift and sense of freshness. Lean and straight but so juicy so you get the relatively tight structure but with mouthwatering acidity and a touch of sweetness adding bounce and pep to the expression. It’s still quite compact in terms of real expansion but there’s a long length. Really suave, almost subtle and dialled back which is great and the juiciness is totally moreish. I love it. Easy, generous, appealing. 52.78hl/ha. 10% press wine. 2% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 55% grand vin production.

The 2023 Léoville-Poyferré was picked from September 14 until October 5 at 52.78hL/ha and aged in slightly less new oak than usual simply because of the large volume. In fact some of the lots commenced their malolactic fermentation in vat rather than barrel. This has an intense bouquet with black cherries and iodine becoming more floral with aeration. The palate opens with a medium body and pliant tannins fleshy and ripe dovetailing into a dense and multi-tiered mid-palate. Typical Poyferré in style blood orange and light graphite notes are embroidered into the ripe black fruit and there is noticeable glycerol on the finish. It is perhaps the most opulent of the three Léovilles and yet it arrives with a modest 13.1% alcohol. This is a contender for the best Saint-Julien in show.

This is already very pretty and polished with plenty of currant and plum character. Medium- to full-bodied with creamy, round tannins and a juicy finish. Caressing. Very refined.

Aromas of cassis, plums, pencil shavings and toasty new oak introduce the 2023 Léoville Poyferré, a medium to full-bodied, rich and chunky wine with a deep core of succulent fruit framed by sweet, generously extracted tannins. It's a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot that saw some saignée and osmosis for additional concentration. As usual, it's the creamiest, most "modern"-styled of the three Léovilles. Harvest began on September 14 and concluded on October 5, with fermentations a little cooler than usual, perhaps an intimation of a stylistic evolution in progress.

62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Cask sample. Very deep crimson. Fully ripe, unctuous nose. Then a tiny bit sharp in terms of acid on the palate. Very embryonic! A little heat on the fairly persistent finish. (JR)