Château Léoville Poyferré 2014

A complex and refined Second Cru Classé of Saint-Julien

The estate

Château Léoville Poyferré, a 2nd Classified Growth of 1855, whose origins date back to the beginning of the 17th century, is one of the most prestigious properties in the Saint-Julien appellation, on the left bank of the Bordeaux region. Managed by the Cuvelier family and neighbouring illustrious properties such as Pichon Baron and Léoville Las Cases, Château Léoville Poyferré benefits from a terroir renowned for its nutrient-poor Garonne gravel soils, ideal conditions for the vineyard to flourish blissfully. In a perpetual quest for perfection, the vinification of each parcel is monitored by the oenologist Michel Rolland, in order to gently extract the most authentic expression of each grape variety and each parcel. The wines of Château Léoville Poyferré truly shine with their elegance, depth, balance and power.

The vineyard

Château Léoville Poyferré 2014 stems from an 80-hectare vineyard, with vines that are 34 years old on average and rest on Mindel gravel terraces upon sandy clay subsoils.

The vintage

The 2014 vintage was marked by alternating mild, humid, hot and sunny weather conditions. A particularly mild, wet winter preceded a spring with plenty of sunshine and mild temperatures which favoured an early budburst and flowering.

The strong heat and sunshine of June and July were offset by a cooler August punctuated by rainy spells. From September onwards, a real Indian summer set in, ideal for refining the ripening of the berries. The record amount of sunshine recorded in September, +31% compared to the average for the last 30 years, gave this vintage an exceptional potential regarding its quality.

 Vinification and ageing

Hand-picked in crates, the bunches are rigorously sorted on the bunches and then by optical sorting on the berries in order to keep only the high-quality grapes. The vinification is carried out in temperature-controlled stainless steel truncated cone-shaped vats. Pre-fermentation cold maceration precedes alcoholic fermentation with selected yeasts and then malolactic fermentation in new barrels. The wine is aged for 18 to 20 months in French oak barrels (80% new, 20% second-fill barrels).

The blend

Château Léoville Poyferré 2014 comprises a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (35%), Cabernet Franc (3%) and Petit Verdot (2%).

Château Léoville Poyferré 2014: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Colour

This brilliant wine showcases a beautiful dark red colour.

Nose

Subtle and aromatic, the nose blends fragrances of red fruits, spices and liquorice.

Palate

An intense and refreshing attack gives way to a harmonious, full and fruity palate. The finish is persistent and seductive with its silky feel along with its fine, racy and perfectly integrated tannins.