CHÂTEAU LÉOVILLE POYFERRÉ

The Château Léoville-Poyferré 2014 is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot picked between 1 and 14 October, a little later than some of its Saint Julien neighbors. It has one of the most opulent set of aromatics of the appellation, with crème de cassis, boysenberry jam and macerated small dark cherries - an extravagant bouquet in the context of the growing season. The palate is full-bodied with great density and power. There is a lot of weight in this Saint Julien, spicy in the mouth with a healthy pinch of white pepper towards the finish that feels long in the mouth, although I would like to see more finesse coming through by the time of bottling. As usual, this is one of the most decadent Saint Julien wines, but one that is well-crafted by Didier Cuvelier. Give this several years in bottle. Drinking range: 2021 - 2040 Rating: 91-93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2015)

Richly extracted aroma and palate - quite a broad style as is usual for Poyferré, and a very good future ahead. Always the richest of the three Léovilles. (Highly Recommended St-Julien, Decanter.) Drinking range: 2020 - 2035 Rating: 92 Steven Spurrier (Apr 2015)

The 2014 Léoville Poyferré is impressive. A big, broad-shouldered St. Julien, the 2014 blossoms in the glass with superb depth and richness. Dark red cherry, plum, spice, menthol, crushed flowers, herbs and leather are some of the notes that burst onto the palate in an energetic, tightly wound Poyferré. The 2014 finishes with notable depth and huge, explosive intensity, all of which suggest it will require considerable cellaring. This is without question one of the stars of the vintage. Rating: 92-95 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2015)

Dark crimson. Meaty with a note of treacle on the nose. Simpler than some. Relatively round and approachable but with lovely balance. The fruit almost hides the tannins – which are certainly there. Just a little spindly on the end. But very appetising. Rather glorious really. Drinking range: 2024 - 2038 Rating: 16.5++ Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2015)

The nose has a smoky charm fragrant with woodland violets and the palate starts fresh light with bilberry and bramble. Concentrated and rich in the middle with depth of flavour the tannins support but feel ripe. Sweet fruit fills out the back palate the finish has depth of flavour. Drinking range: 2028 - 2045 Rating: 91-94 Derek Smedley MW, www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk (Apr 2015)

A very good rather than a great Léoville-Poyferré perhaps, but this is still a pretty smart Saint Julien from Didier Cuvelier and his team. Cakey and sweet with serious, age worthy tannins, this needs time to digest its oak, but should develop into a typically impressive red. Drinking range: 2022 - 2030 Rating: 93 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Apr 2015)