1999 Red Bordeaux

Ch. Léoville Poyferré was always the perennially underestimated property of the three Léovilles, so we are delighted to see that it is now finally getting the credit it deserves. Quality has soared since Didier Cuvelier took control in the 1970s and in the last 20 years Didier, with the assistance of the renowned Michel Rolland, has turned this into one of St Julien's finest estates. 1999 was regarded as a lighter-style approachable vintage and all wines are fully mature now. Mature bouquet of soft, berry fruits and tobacco leaf, lush texture on the palate, ripe and round. Ch. Léoville-Poyferré's is one of the best wines of the vintage, hence our decision to buy more stock long after the initial release. Way above the norm for 1999.

Abundant dried fruit with an underlying smoky complexity. Quite forward, especially for Latour, but nevertheless it will make for high quality drinking over the next 10-20 years.

Good levels of attarctive fruit, the wine will develop well and result in enjoyable drinking from this most trustworthy of crus classs.