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: The 2019 Léoville Poyferré is showing very well in bottle, wafting from the glass with aromas of crème de cassis and wild berries mingled with notions of licorice, loamy soil, cigar wrapper and smoke. Full-bodied, velvety and polished, it's broad and enveloping, with an ample core of fruit, ripe tannins and succulent acids, concluding with a long, precise finish. Invariably the most sumptuous of the three Léovilles, featuring some 35% Merlot, the 2019 is a terrific effort that will offer a wide drinking window. robertparker.com (07.04.2022)

Service: Serve at room temperature (16-18°C), to accompany grilled rib of beef.