CHÂTEAU POUJEAUX
2023 Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel Moulis-en-Médoc
Always an estate that works hard and is often a good bet across a variety of vintage conditions. It works again in 2023, prety austere right now, layers of tannic architecture along with signature mint leaf and cigar box. No question this will age, don't rush it, needs time to unwind, feels like an impressive Left Bank claret full of classic character, and confident tannic architecture. High propotion of Petit Verdot, 33% new oak for ageing, 38hl/ha yields, after hail on a small prt of the vineyard. Drinking range: 2026 - 2038 Rating: 93 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)
75cl bottles (wood case of 6)
* This is a pre-shipment/primeur offer. All orders are accepted under the TERMS of this offer which differ from the terms of the rest of the site.
The 2023 Poujeaux is plump, juicy and super-inviting right out of the gate. Inky dark fruit, sweet spice and floral accents caress the palate, all framed by supple, silky tannins. There's a bit more Petit Verdot in the blend this year, and that comes through in the wine's dark flavor profile and structural feel. This is a fine vintage for Poujeaux. Tasted four times. Drinking range: 2027 - 2043 Rating: 90-92 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)
This is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot, this being more Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot than usual, as both varieties did well in this vintage. The yield was 40 hl/ha, less than usual, mainly because of a hail shower in July which took out some Merlot. Lovely aromatics here, savoury, dried red cherry dressed in dark chocolate, with a little dried raspberry, acacia and white pepper. The palate is just lovely, sinewy and lithe, with only a gentle texture (that’s 2023 for you) supporting bright and complex fruit character, raspberry and dark chocolate lifted by violets and currants. Underneath, a backbone of powdery tannins remain close knit through to the end. This has a touch more cohesion than many of its peers, with good balance through to a finish of fruit and tannin together. Tasted three times. The alcohol is around 12.5%. Rating: 91-93 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)
The 2023 Poujeaux offers up youthfully reserved aromas of licorice, dark wild berries and smoke. Medium-bodied, firm and slightly austere, it’s elegant and gently structured with powdery tannins and a long, somber finish. A second encounter revealed greater flesh and plentitude. It's a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon (a higher proportion than usual), 35% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot. Rating: 89-91 Yohan Castaing, www.robertparker.com (Apr 2024)
The tight tannins and pretty fruit are very attractive now, with medium body and a juicy finish. I like it. Rating: 92-93 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)
Château Poujeaux
Château Poujeaux sits on the Grand Poujeaux, a Gunzian gravel mound of similar constitution to the more illustrious communes of the Haut-Médoc. Alongside Château Chasse-Spleen, Poujeaux is one of the leading estates in Moulis and offers great value to the discerning Haut-Médoc consumer. Moulis sits a little way back from the Gironde, between Saint Julien and Margaux. 16th century records show that the estate was owned by Gaston de L'Isle, then owner of Chateau Latour, although this is some time before wine production began at Poujeaux during the 19th Century. Since 2008 Château Poujeaux has been owned by Philippe Cuvelier, also owner of Saint Emilion estate Clos Fourtet. There are around 100 hectares of vineyard planted with 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot.
Please make sure that you have read the terms of this offer which are different from those on the main website. If you are unclear as to what is involved in primeur purchases please do contact our private client team via email or on 020 7018 0187.
Ordering
Prices are all in bond by the case size stated.
Pre-Orders are a firm commitment to buy wines on release, as long as the release price is within the upper and lower price bands set by you on the pre-order form. Pre-orders will be fulfilled subject to availability but providing this firm commitment to buy effectively gives you priority and is a good idea for the most desirable wines.
Wines listed on the website can be ordered in the usual way via the website wishlist order form. You can also send orders directly to our private client team via email. Please note that, for the most sought-after wines, priority will be given to those who ordered the same wines last year and to those that have pre-ordered.
Confirmation
All orders will be confirmed by email and are binding unless written cancellation is received within seven days of email confirmation. Pre-orders are not binding if the release price is above your upper price band.
Invoices are all raised at the in bond price (excluding any duty and VAT) which will become payable at the prevailing rates when the wines arrive in the UK, should you wish to take duty paid delivery.
Payment is required on sight of invoice, by cash, cheque, debit card or bank transfer. We regret we cannot accept credit cards for en primeur orders. We reserve the right to apply a dunning charge of 2% per month on invoices unpaid after 30 days.
Delivery
- Shipment to our bond (at LCB Creek Road) and insurance are included in the in bond price.
- Delivery is free to Lea and Sandeman / Elephant storage accounts, both duty paid and in bond.
- Other deliveries (In Bond and Duty Paid) are also free subject to a minimum order from the offer of £500. Orders below this total will be charged an administration and handling fee of £16.50+ VAT when invoices are issued. We will group deliveries and this is a charge for your entire purchases, not a per-case charge.
- Delivery of 2023 Bordeaux bought en primeur is expected during 2026. Delivery dates may vary as wines are shipped from Bordeaux at different times.
Practical notes - how it works
We start a sale in each customer's name and add all their primeur orders to one sale which is invoiced at the end of the campaign (or when the customer wishes). Immediate payment of invoices is then required by cash, cheque, debit card or bank transfer. We and our customers find that having a single invoice for the vintage is the simpler option but please note that confirmed orders are still binding even if the final invoice has not yet been issued.
Please specify on your wishlist order form where you would like the wines shipped on arrival in the UK. If this is to a third-party bonded warehouse, please specify the relevant account details. If the wines are required duty-paid we will issue a second invoice for duty and VAT at the prevailing rate when the wines are available for delivery.
Half-bottles, Magnums and larger bottles.
One of the additional advantages of buying en primeur is being able to order the wine in the format you want. While most of our listings are for 75cl bottles, we can source wines in any format that is offered by the Château. Please note that format requests cannot be changed once wines have been invoiced. Additional charges for special formats do apply and are as follows:-
- +£18.00 per case of 12 half-bottles
- +£30.00 per case of 24 half-bottles
- +£7.50 per case of 3 Magnums (2 bottles equivalent, 1.5 litres each)
- +£11.00 per case of 6 Magnums
- +£45.00 per individually boxed Double Magnum (4 bottles equivalent, 3 litres)
- +£60.00 per individually boxed Imperial (8 bottles equivalent, 6 litres) for Salmanazars, Balthazars, Nebuchadnezzars and Melchiors please enquire for availability and price.
Storage Options:
Wines bought en primeur won't arrive in the UK until 2026. If you do not wish to take home delivery at that point, you may wish to consider where you would like the wines shipped. Lea & Sandeman offers duty paid and in bond storage through a dedicated storage company called Elephant Storage. For more details on the terms and fees associated with storage please go to our Storage Homepage or contact our private client team for more information.