CHÂTEAU LÉOVILLE POYFERRÉ

Saturated ruby. Brooding aromas of black fruits, minerals and coffee; at once medicinal and liqueur-like, but showing more freshness than usual in 2013. Huge but still raw at this stage, with rather large-scaled, mouthfilling flavors (for the year) of dark berries and flinty ripe plum, along with an obvious herbal element. Shows a boatload of chewy tannins but the persistent finish is dry but not parching. Rating: 87-90 Ian d'Agata - Stephen Tanzer website (May 2014)

The nose has a fragrant charm the start of the palate fresh the richer flavours in the middle slightly held back by the firm definite tannins. It is richer at the back some sweet black fruits but the finish is closed at the moment by the tannins. 2018-30 Rating: 90-92 Derek Smedley MW, www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk (May 2014)

In a year when many wines are on the light side, this is a St Julien that needs time in barrel and bottle to soften. It’s dense, firm and a little unyielding at present, but has the structure, concentrated black fruits and tannic core to age better than most. 2020-28 Rating: 92 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (May 2014)

Saturated ruby. Brooding aromas of black fruits, minerals and coffee; at once medicinal and liqueur-like, but showing more freshness than usual in 2013. Huge but still raw at this stage, with rather large-scaled, mouthfilling flavors (for the year) of dark berries and flinty ripe plum, along with an obvious herbal element. Shows a boatload of chewy tannins but the persistent finish is dry but not parching. Rating: 87-90 Ian d'Agata, www.vinousmedia.com (May 2014)

(65 Cabernet Sauvignon, 26 Merlot, 6 Petit Verdot, 3 Cabernet Franc) There is an unexpected and rather aggressive finish here. The dry, rasping tannins, which penetrate the cassis fruit throughout the taste, leave the wine tart and as the body is lighter overall it tends to make the whole wine taste rather sour. The nose is discreet and not unattractive, but it will need time to age in order to soften the grainy tannins. They will fade but will this happen when the bright cherry and mulberry fruit has lost its lustre? I think it will be ok, but it will be a close run thing. Rating: 17+ Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (Apr 2014)

Some burnt-fruit character here. And rather grizzly tannins on the palate. Not exactly very welcoming, and doesn’t quite have the fruit flesh to really stand up to the structure. 2018-2028 Rating: 15.5 Richard Hemming MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2014)

Black-red, well-extracted meaty Cabernet fruit, robust but not heavy, good depth and more long term than most. Drink: 2019-2033. Rating: 17.5 Steven Spurrier (Apr 2014)

Features a mix of red currant, raspberry and boysenberry fruit, with a decidedly racy feel as iron and graphite notes emerge on the finish. Solid. Rating: 89–92 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2014)

A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc, the Grand Vin, there is an almost Burgundy like purity on the nose, evoking a sense of Vosne-Romanée! The palate is full-bodied for the vintage, very concentrated with layers of ripe toasty black fruit. The acidity is well judged and there is good grip on the finish. Powerful and burly, this is a 2013 for those who do not want to compensate on fruit! Rating: 90-92 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2014)

This shows a pretty finish with a long, persistent character at the end of the palate. Full to medium body with a cedar, hazelnut and currant aftertaste. Very good fruit-acid balance here. Rating: 90-91 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2014)

Plums, blueberries, cassis, violets and sweet spices meld together nicely in the 2013 Léoville-Poyferré. Many of the signatures are in place in the 2013, they are just present in miniature. The fleshy, textured finish offers plenty of near and medium-term appeal. In a second tasting, the 2013 showed plenty of depth but also imposing tannins. It will be interesting to see how things develop in elevage here. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Rating: 90-92 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2014)