Chateau Leoville Poyferre   Leoville Poyferre

1998 Leoville Poyferre

By Chateau Leoville Poyferre

1998 Leoville Poyferre from Chateau Leoville Poyferre, St-Julien, Bordeaux

In the rich tapestry of St-Julien's esteemed offerings, the 1998 Leoville Poyferre from Chateau Leoville Poyferre presents itself as a splendid articulation of this grand terroir. This specific vintage sits in a lineage of exceptional years, bound together by the maison's reputation for consistent excellence.

 

Unearthing the Bounty of '98

The vintage year of 1998 was marked by climatic idiosyncrasies that swept through Bordeaux, leaving behind a legacy encapsulated in the bottles we cherish today. It was a year of dichotomies: excessive rain earlier on gave way to a glorious summer and an autumn that veered towards aridity. These conditions gave birth to grapes that, while challenging during cultivation, transformed into wines with depth and complexity.

On the nose, the 1998 Leoville Poyferre unfolds with serene confidence, offering dense plum and blackcurrant notes entwined with whispers of tobacco and new saddle leather, hinting at traditional craftsmanship. At first sip, it is clear that this vintage embodies the unmistakable character of St-Julien - a poised balance between power and refinement.

The palate is luxuriously layered; ripe tannins are interlaced with mature flavours of truffle and earth – each glass narrating a tale of its vintage year's unique journey. Indeed, time has been genteel to this creation; it unfurls in the decanter in the most inviting manner, suggesting an impeccable provenance suited to astute investments.

 

Nurturing The Investment Palate

For collectors looking beyond mere enjoyment to include fine wines in their investment portfolio, wine from this pedigreed estate is rather compelling. The 1998 Leoville Poyferre resonates not just with oenophiles for its sensory pleasure but also serves as an intelligent acquisition for diversifying assets.

The question of longevity has been graciously answered by this wine; it still holds potential in its tannic structure and aromatic profile. There is an air of composure about it, promising further evolution for those patient enough to let it continue its silent slumber in the cellar.

In conclusion, those seeking depth and a distinctive narrative will find in the 1998 Leoville Poyferre from Chateau Leoville Poyferre an exquisite piece to both indulge in and bolster their wine portfolio. Its presence both enlivens the palate and stands testament to the savoir-faire inherent in St-Julien's timeless tradition.

Current market price

£1,020.00

12x75cl

Highest score

89

POP score

113.33

Scores and tasting notes

89

Slightly deeper in colour than the 1997. The nose has a real succulence to it: black cherries, blood orange, touch of tobacco and iodine. Very good lift. It reminds me of Ribena after ten minutes in the glass! The palate is surprisingly rich, very well structured with lovely, grainy tannins. Very dense of the vintage, cohesive and focused with layers of ripe, slightly gamey black fruits on the finish. Of all the Poyferre's, this comes closest to Las-Cases in style (though without the level of concentration). A commendable 1998. Drink 2012-2025 Tasted March 2008.

Neal Martin - Wine Journal May 2008

88

The dark ruby-colored, medium-bodied 1998 offers aromas of underbrush, black currants, cherries, minerals, and vanillin. While sweet, rich, and stylish, it lacks the depth necessary to merit an outstanding score. Drink it over the next 12-14 years.

Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 22 April 2001

Vintage performance