2015 Chateau Leoville Poyferre

General Info

With origins dating back to 1638, Léoville was the largest vineyard in the Médoc region at the time of the French Revolution. Léoville Poyferré springs from various divisions and successions in 1840. Its outstanding quality wines gained early recognition when it was ranked 2nd Growth in the 1855 classification. Château Léoville Poyferré was acquired in 1920 by the Cuvelier family. Château Léoville Poyferré was the Léoville that got left in the starting blocks in terms of reputation and in the quality of its wines. Léoville Poyferré has been owned by the Cuvelier family (who also own Château Le Crock) since 1921, yet it was not until the 1970s, when Didier Cuvelier took control at the château, that quality began to improve. In the last 20 years, Didier, with the assistance of Michel Rolland since 1995, has turned Léoville-Poyferré into one of StJulien's finest estates. Now up with the best of the St-Juliens but still selling at nonscary prices. Léoville Poyferré is classified as a 2ème Cru Classé.

Vintage

Everything in 2015 contributes to a remarkable vintage. Winter cold, strategic rains and summer sun ensure the perfect development of the key stages of the vine cycle. The work of man will make it an exceptional vintage. The winter of 2015 is characterized by frosts succeeding from December to February, the low temperatures allow an optimal rest of the vine. Heavy but dense precipitations, from November to March, give back to the soils all the reserves useful to the vegetative cycle of the vine. At the beginning of spring, the temperatures rise slowly creating good conditions of budding at different grape varieties. April knows a net warming, accompanied by weak and regular rains. May temperatures are more moderate. The arrival of hot weather in June allows a homogeneous, rapid and early flowering for all varieties. Follows a beautiful sunny and warm summer. The regular heat and well-distributed rains make June and July suitable months for the practice of stripping. The grapes thus benefit from maximum exposure to the sun and the bunches, for a better ventilation. August, a little cooler, will be marked by good rains for a fast and homogeneous veraison. The first checks of maturity are very positive and suggest early harvesting. In September, good weather and cool nights promote maturity and a beautiful concentration aromatic. A rainy episode slows down the maturity. 

Vineyards

The various divisions throughout the history of the estate have split the vineyard of Léoville Poyferré into five large areas. They include all the main types of gravelly soil present in Saint Julien. This diversity contributes to the amplitude and complexity of the Léoville Poyferré wines. Léoville Poyferré has 80 hectares of vineyards planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (65%), Merlot (25%), Petit Verdot (8%) Cabernet Franc (2%)

Harvest Vinification 

24th September to 10th October, 2015 Léoville Poyferré traditionally produced the softest and most supple wine of the 3 Leoville’s, yet in the last decade the wines have definitely put on weight and body. This is largely due to the grapes being harvested riper and later and because of the increased exposure to new oak in the maturation process. The wines are fermented in the 35 temperature-controlled stainless-steel vats of varying sizes, then macerated

Maturation

for three to four weeks, before selection is made. The grand vin is Château LéovillePoyferré (20000 cases per annum), which goes into barrel where malolactic fermentation occurs. Typically, the oak is now 75% new each year

Tasting Notes

Colour: deep and bright. Nose: beautiful aromatic complexity dominated by red fruits. Notes of cedar and spice are revealed upon aeration. Palate: The attack is marked, leading in to a fleshy, powerful mid-palate. There is a fine balance between the freshness of the aromas and the density of the tannins. The finish reveals superb aromatic persistence worthy of a great vintage of Leoville Poyferré. 2015, the number 5 keeps its promise.