2022 Chateau Leoville-Poyferre Saint-Julien (Pre-Arrival)

96 Points, Vinous

"The 2022 Leoville-Poyferré is super exotic. Dense and pliant with striking mid-palate depth, and exquisite balance, this is pure sensuality. Red cherry, apricot, blood orange, wildflowers and spices all meld together as the 2022 opens in the glass. Seamless, refined tannins extend the mid-palate and finish. The purity of the fruit is remarkable. I also find the new wood imprint-long a signature here-much less evident than in the past. Earlier picking in the Merlot today yields a wine with more red fruit tones than in the past, when Leoville-Poyferré was a darker wine. It will be interesting to see if these are long-term trends. Tasted three times. Stellar." - Antonio Galloni

97-100 points, Jeb Dunnuck

"I was blown away by the 2022 Château Léoville Poyferré, which is a classic blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and 4% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Harvest spanned from the 8th to the 28th of September, the vinification is in tronconique tanks (parcel by parcel), and the élevage will span 18-20 months in 80% new barrels. This inky hued beauty offers that rare mix of power and elegance and offers ample cassis and assorted blue fruits, full-bodied richness, an opulent, concentrated, yet flawlessly balanced mouthfeel, velvety tannins, and plenty of classic Saint-Julien violets, espresso roast, and crushed stone-like minerality. Despite its incredible concentration and depth, it stays beautifully balanced. In a region that seems to only talk about finesse and elegance, it's a relief to still have producers such as this producing powerful, intense, singular wines. Hats off to the Cuvelier family and their team."