Château-Leoville-Poyferre St. Julien 2015

The 2015 Leoville Poyferre is cut from the same cloth as the 2016, yet is more sexy, rounded and opulent. Notes of cassis, licorice, crushed rocks, lead pencil shavings and graphite all emerge from this unctuous, ripe, pedal-to-the-metal beauty that's absolutely loaded with fruit and texture. Reminding me of the 2003, yet only fresher, don't miss this beauty. It should be drinkable in 3-4 years and last for 3-4 decades.

Following the style that this estate has now adopted, this is an ultrarich, concentrated wine. However its acidity and bright black-currant fruits contrast well with this solid base. Drink this impressive wine from 2026.

The 2015 Léoville Poyferré has a very backward nose, perhaps with a little more new oak to be subsumed compared to its peers, indicating that this is Poyferré. The fresh, focused palate is very well defined, displaying supple tannin and a fine bead of acidity. The almost understated, lip-smackingly saline finish is pure class. This is a very fine Saint-Julien. Chapeau, Didier Cuvelier. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.

Dark plum cake, blueberry reduction and açaí berry fruit tilts this to the exotic side of the ledger, with warm ganache, melted black licorice and tar notes providing the spine through the lush finish. Displays some serious latent grip, so there's no rush despite the showy fruit. Best from 2022 through 2040. 18,439 cases made.

The 2015 Leoville Poyferre is deep garnet-purple colored with a nose of grilled meats, baked plums, crème de cassis and baker's chocolate with nuances of dusty soil and iron ore plus a hint of bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied, very firm and muscular in the mouth, it is built like a brick house with a mineral-tinged finish.