Winemaker and vineyard: Every great story takes root in a particular place, a kind of jewel that gives it all its soul. The story of Léoville Poyferré is rooted in one of the most intimate communal appellations of the Médoc: Saint-Julien. A true gem polished by the incessant waves of the Garonne, the soil of Saint-Julien has acquired its nobility over the centuries. Thus, under the impulse of nature, the 920 hectares of the appellation have become as many gardens with multiple profiles, but with a common thread: gravel. The proud standard of Saint-Julien, this diversity of gravel soils is at the origin of the richness of our terroir and offers us the most beautiful of palettes to compose our wines. leoville-poyferre.fr

Tasting: 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. robertparker.com (Apr 30, 2014)

Service: Serve at room temperature (16-18°C), to accompany a veal chop with vegetables.