Château Léoville Poyferré 2012 – A beautifully mature Saint-Julien showing depth, polish, and precision. Layers of blackcurrant, cassis, and graphite unfold with hints of licorice, mint, and spice. Silky yet powerful, with fine-grained tannins and a long, elegant finish that reflects both richness and restraint. Refined, expressive, and drinking beautifully now with years of life ahead.

Wine Enthusiast | WE 95
Published: Jan 4, 2013

Barrel sample. This very ripe, full-bodied wine is powered by sweet blackberries and solid tannins. It is a full, concentrated and complex wine that has a great future. — Roger Voss

James Suckling | JS 94
Published: Feb 23, 2021

Really beautiful now with blackcurrant, licorice and red-berry aromas, following through to a full body with layers of fine tannins and a beautiful finish. It’s really starting to drink nicely . Drink or hold.

The Wine Advocate | RP 92+
Published: Apr 30, 2015
Drink: 2020-2045

Owned by the Cuvelier family since 1920, this property over the last 20 years has made some great wines in the Medoc. The 2012, a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc, is opaque purple, thick-looking, and from bottle much more impressive than it was from barrel. This very extracted, rich, full-bodied, masculine Leoville Poyferre needs a good 5-8 years of bottle age and should evolve well for at least 20-25 years. Loads of blackberry and cassis, crushed rock and graphite notes are present in this medium to full-bodied, impressively concentrated and pure wine. Forget it for a while, as this is one of the bigger, richer Medocs.

Decanter | D 91
Published: Jun 14, 2018
Drink: 2021-2038

Tight, tannic – this is not yet resolving itself. Once again the quality of the fruit is clear in the sheer beauty of its delivery, enrobed by plump tannins, with a striking sense of vibrancy to the cassis notes. Gourmet and mouth-watering as it opens in the glass; this is a good quality 2012 in what was a tough vintage in Bordeaux. Eucalyptus and menthol notes particularly strong here, but well handled and with the gloss that you want and expect from Château Léoville Poyferré.

Jancis Robinson | JR 17.5
Published: Oct 2, 2022
Drink: 2021-2038

Tasted blind. Very deep crimson. Intense nose and very smooth texture. Quite a standout! Lots going on there and a really exciting finish