Winemaker and vineyard: Every great story takes root in a particular place, a kind of setting that gives it its soul. That of Léoville Poyferré is anchored in one of the most intimate communal appellations of the Médoc: Saint-Julien. A real jewel polished by the incessant flows of the Garonne, the soil of Saint-Julien has acquired its nobility over the centuries. Thus, under the impetus of nature, the 920 hectares of the appellation have become so many gardens with multiple profiles, but having a common thread: gravel. The proud standard of Saint-Julien, this diversity of gravel soil 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: A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc, aged in 80% new oak barriques, the 2018 Léoville Poyferré comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant scents of Morello cherries, plum preserves and blackberry pie, giving way to nuances of cedar chest, unsmoked cigars, vanilla pod and sassafras, plus a waft of crushed rocks. The palate is full-bodied, rich and decadent, delivering hedonic black fruits and lots of spicy accents with a velvety texture and seamless freshness, finishing long and satisfyingly savory. This is a very impressive showing that is delicious out of the gate but has the backbone to give a good 30 years or more of pleasure. robertparker.com (31.03.2021)

Service: Serve at room temperature (16-18°C), to accompany grilled red meats.