Léoville Poyferré 2010

This has depth, texture, power, the generosity of Poyferré with the slow steely progression of the vintage - a brilliant mix of the two. Cassis, bilberry, cigarbox, curling woodsmoke, bitter chocolate, rosemary, blue fruit, coffee. There is clear acidity here but it is matched pace for pace by fleshy textured fruit and slate, tugging, slowed-down tannins. Harvest October 1 to 18. 80% new oak.

Looks very concentrated. Dark purple. Thick and rich. Some sweetness and lots of tannin. Everything but the kitchen sink in here. Super-concentrated. Should make great old bones. Very dry, long finish.

Dark fruit, introverted. Oak showing strongly on the nose. Then a fine, elegant density on the palate, with lots of structure and incipient flesh starting to fill it out. Very long, embryonic. Drink 2018 - 2035.

The nose is plush the fleshy black fruits enriched by chocolate. Fruit power packs out the mid palate the richness held in check at the moment by firm tannins and the freshness on the back palate. There are so many different layers of flavour on the palate, so much complexity.

Fine extraction of black fruits, both richer and more tannic than the Barton, very good ripeness for long ageing. Drink 2020-40.

Really opulent – concentrated and ripe and expressive. Shows off the vintage: pure, pixel-perfect fruit. As such, it has a sort of sheen that could almost use a bit of roughing around the edges, but it remains an immaculate example of the left bank in 2010.

One of the prodigious wines of the vintage, the Cuvelier family has produced an outstanding 2010 that must tip the scales at 14.5+% alcohol. It boasts an opaque purple color in addition to a sweet perfume of spring flowers, black raspberries, creme de cassis and a hint of spicy oak. This seamlessly constructed St.-Julien possesses massive concentration, moderately high tannins, abundant glycerin, an unctuous texture, remarkably fresh acids and wonderful precision. It will benefit from 5-6 years of cellaring and last 30-35 years. Drink 2016-2051.

The 2010 Léoville-Poyferré has a very intense bouquet with blackberry, briary cedar and light estuarine/seaweed aromas that are very well defined. Pure class. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannins, layers of pure black fruit laced with pencil lead and a pinch of white pepper. It fans out wonderfully towards the finish, a Saint-Julien demonstrating wonderful density and precision. What an outstanding wine, perhaps less flamboyant than other vintages, one that will last decades. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal. Drink 2023-2050.

Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. The Leoville-Poyferre 2010 dares to challenge Jean-Hubert Delon! It has a wonderful bouquet with vibrant blackcurrant, raspberry and warm gravel scents - very well defined and very focused, the oak seamlessly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with a very pure opening, a fine line of acidity, a cashmere texture and a long silky smooth finish that is very seductive and feminine. There is a lot of panache here - utterly seductive.

Tasted at the Union de Grand Cru in London. The Leoville Poyferre has an intense bouquet with blackberry, dark plum, violet and a touch of bay leaf - almost Margaux like in perfume - heady and opulent and not far removed from the 2009. The palate is full-bodied with succulent ripe black fruit laced with spice box and white pepper. It is very harmonious, crescendos to a vibrant, shimmering finish surfeit with minerality. Superb. Tasted November 2012.

Tasted at the chateau and twice at the UGC, the Leoville Poyferre is a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc, a pH of 3.7 and alcohol at 14%. It has a spellbinding, extraordinarily pure bouquet that in an obtuse way reminds me of a Romanee St. Vivant. So much panache. The palate is medium-bodied with silky smooth tannins, one of the most sensual of all the 2010s that I have tasted. Seamless cashmere texture towards the finish with dark cherries, blueberry and crème de cassis all wrapped up in a veil of vanilla. Superb. Drink 2015- Tasted April 2011.

This is so velvety and beautiful with a juicy, orange peel, raspberries and currant character on the nose and the palate. Full with a long, long finish. Wonderful texture to this wine. Dense and yummy

Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Léoville Poyferré opens with notes of sautéed herbs and pencil shavings on the nose, giving way to scents of redcurrant jelly, baked plums and cedar chest plus a waft of cassis. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has pleasant energy and well-played, lightly chewy tannins with compelling freshness on the finish. 2020-2044

Very concentrated and luscious looking. Exceptionally deep crimson. Very fine and sophisticated on the nose. Both concentration and lift but then perhaps just a bit too concentrated on the palate? Certainly very attention grabbing with lots of very ripe, very dry fruit. Lustrous. With some welcoming appeal. Pure, luscious Médoc Cabernet. Very long and vibrant.