Saint-Julien 2° Grand Cru Classé 2023 - Parker 93-95

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: Aromas of cassis, plums, pencil shavings and toasty new oak introduce the 2023 Léoville Poyferré, a medium to full-bodied, rich and chunky wine with a deep core of succulent fruit framed by sweet, generously extracted tannins. It's a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot that saw some saignée and osmosis for additional concentration. As usual, it's the creamiest, most "modern"-styled of the three Léovilles. Harvest began on September 14 and concluded on October 5, with fermentations a little cooler than usual, perhaps an intimation of a stylistic evolution in progress.

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