We have another case of back-vintage Bordeaux in excellent condition (pictured above) from St. Julien-based Chateau Leoville Poyfrerre, a second classified growth that dates back to 1638. The wines here are classic, though there were changes during this period at the Chateau. The wines began to excel after a few excellent vintages, and this is a prime example of a massive success from this underrated vintage. This is one of the best examples of Leoville Poyferre during the 80s. This is showing very well now after 40 years in the bottle, and it still has plenty of life left with the potential for more cellaring. We have just a case of this one, and as you can see above, the bottles are in excellent condition. This is another Bordeaux buy where the cellar work has been completed for you, and we have a limited amount ready to enjoy at this great pricing.
Decanter (Jane Anson) 94 pts! "Now 35 years old, we are getting cloves and white pepper spice — whereas black pepper is more prevalent in Léoville Poyferré wines in the first few decades. The persistency is still remarkable it lingers delightfully. A beautiful wine with whispers of the effortless St-Julien balance that stands true through the decades, all coming through with soft tobacco notes, buttery leather, dried fruits and fire crackle. Remember there is less clay in soils in this appellation compared to Pauillac and St-Estèphe, giving St-Julien finer tannins and finessed aromatics. No alcohol marked on the label from this point, but we can assume it is around 12% abv. (Drink between 2018 - 2026)"
John Gilman 93 pts! "Château Leoville-Poyferré used to be one of my absolute favorite estates on the Left Bank, as its low fat, soil-driven style was so compelling, but the estate has been making pumped up, modern wines for quite a while now and the modern and simplistic wines turned out here today bear little resemblance to the understated and classic beauty of this wine in its heyday. However, back in 1983, the estate was at the top of its game (though few commentators recognized it at the time!) and at age thirty, the ’83 Leoville-Poyferré is really lovely, wafting from the glass in a deep and utterly suave nose of black cherries, sweet cranberries, Cuban cigars, a beautifully complex base of dark soil tones, a touch of dried eucalyptus, woodsmoke and a bit of cedar. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, pure and transparent, with an excellent core, moderate tannins and a long, complex and beautifully balanced finish. An excellent and very elegant example of the vintage, the ’83 Leoville-Poyferré has now reached its peak of maturity, but will continue to drink beautifully for many, many decades to come. (Drink between 2013 - 2050)"
Vinous (Neal Martin) 93 pts! "Next, one of my favourites, the 1983 Léoville-Poyferré. It had been some years since I tasted this Saint-Julien, and it has always been over-shadowed by former proprietor Didier Cuvelier’s splendid 1982. Ignore it at your peril. Showing light bricking on the rim, it delivers a wonderful nose of red plum, freshly-rolled tobacco, autumn leaves and a hint of cassis borrowed from Pauillac. It was actually richer than I recalled, and blind, I might guess the previous vintage. The palate does not disappoint. Now fully-mature, again, it is more opulent in style than you might expect, portending the richer style the estate has successfully pursued under consultant Michel Rolland. Beautifully balanced with a sensual, quite plush finish, this over-delivers. Drink it over the next decade. (Drink between 2022 - 2036)"
1983 Château Léoville Poyferré
1983 Château Léoville Poyferré
We have another case of back-vintage Bordeaux in excellent condition (pictured above) from St. Julien-based Chateau Leoville Poyfrerre, a second classified growth that dates back to 1638. The wines here are classic, though there were changes during this period at the Chateau. The wines began to excel after a few excellent vintages, and this is a prime example of a massive success from this underrated vintage. This is one of the best examples of Leoville Poyferre during the 80s. This is showing very well now after 40 years in the bottle, and it still has plenty of life left with the potential for more cellaring. We have just a case of this one, and as you can see above, the bottles are in excellent condition. This is another Bordeaux buy where the cellar work has been completed for you, and we have a limited amount ready to enjoy at this great pricing.
Decanter (Jane Anson) 94 pts! "Now 35 years old, we are getting cloves and white pepper spice — whereas black pepper is more prevalent in Léoville Poyferré wines in the first few decades. The persistency is still remarkable it lingers delightfully. A beautiful wine with whispers of the effortless St-Julien balance that stands true through the decades, all coming through with soft tobacco notes, buttery leather, dried fruits and fire crackle. Remember there is less clay in soils in this appellation compared to Pauillac and St-Estèphe, giving St-Julien finer tannins and finessed aromatics. No alcohol marked on the label from this point, but we can assume it is around 12% abv. (Drink between 2018 - 2026)"
John Gilman 93 pts! "Château Leoville-Poyferré used to be one of my absolute favorite estates on the Left Bank, as its low fat, soil-driven style was so compelling, but the estate has been making pumped up, modern wines for quite a while now and the modern and simplistic wines turned out here today bear little resemblance to the understated and classic beauty of this wine in its heyday. However, back in 1983, the estate was at the top of its game (though few commentators recognized it at the time!) and at age thirty, the ’83 Leoville-Poyferré is really lovely, wafting from the glass in a deep and utterly suave nose of black cherries, sweet cranberries, Cuban cigars, a beautifully complex base of dark soil tones, a touch of dried eucalyptus, woodsmoke and a bit of cedar. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, pure and transparent, with an excellent core, moderate tannins and a long, complex and beautifully balanced finish. An excellent and very elegant example of the vintage, the ’83 Leoville-Poyferré has now reached its peak of maturity, but will continue to drink beautifully for many, many decades to come. (Drink between 2013 - 2050)"
Vinous (Neal Martin) 93 pts! "Next, one of my favourites, the 1983 Léoville-Poyferré. It had been some years since I tasted this Saint-Julien, and it has always been over-shadowed by former proprietor Didier Cuvelier’s splendid 1982. Ignore it at your peril. Showing light bricking on the rim, it delivers a wonderful nose of red plum, freshly-rolled tobacco, autumn leaves and a hint of cassis borrowed from Pauillac. It was actually richer than I recalled, and blind, I might guess the previous vintage. The palate does not disappoint. Now fully-mature, again, it is more opulent in style than you might expect, portending the richer style the estate has successfully pursued under consultant Michel Rolland. Beautifully balanced with a sensual, quite plush finish, this over-delivers. Drink it over the next decade. (Drink between 2022 - 2036)"
