2005 Ch. Léoville-Poyferré, St. Julien

"Very promising, elegant and rich" (Wines of the Year - Highly Recommended 4/5 Stars- Decanter Nov 08)

Didier Cuvelier has made an absolutely brilliant wine at Léoville Poyferré this year. The voluminous fruit of the vintage really complements Poyferré's style. This is all black cherries and raspberries with hints of cedar, but at an intensity never seen before in this wine. Like so many of the top châteaux in 2005 this starts in quite a restrained manner but then grows and grows until the flavours seem to explode in your mouth. And as for the finish, well, that just goes on and on. The breed and elegance here is amazing.

Although I still prefer the 2003, the 2005 Leoville Poyferre is a gorgeously opulent, approachable wine that is far less massive and austere than its two siblings. The most seductive, approachable, and charming of the three Leovilles, it exhibits a dense purple color as well as a sweet bouquet of mocha, black chocolate, creme de cassis, licorice, and toasty oak. Full-bodied with gorgeous upfront fruit in addition to impressive levels of melted, well-integrated tannin, it should be at its finest between 2015-2035.
(Robert Parker - Wine Advocate - 01-Apr-2008)