2012 Leoville Poyferre
By Chateau Leoville Poyferre
2012 Leoville Poyferre from Chateau Leoville Poyferre, St-Julien, Bordeaux
In the annals of Bordeaux's venerable wine history, the 2012 vintage of St-Julien presents itself as a remarkable chapter, highlighted by the 2012 Leoville Poyferre from Chateau Leoville Poyferre. This vintage encapsulates a year that defied expectations, emerging triumphant in a season riddled with climatic challenges.
An Oenological Odyssey: Resilience and Elegance
The journey of the 2012 vintage was no straightforward affair; it was wrought with unpredictable weather patterns that demanded exceptional skill from the vigneron. Despite an arduous start to the growing season, with worrisome spring rains and a temperamental flowering period, the mid-season’s warm days and cool nights sculpted grapes of impressive concentration and vibrancy – an unforeseen boon that adds to the narrative of this engaging wine investment prospect.
The terroir of St-Julien has always been conducive to producing wines of finesse and power, and in such trying years, its virtues shine brightest. The 2012 Leoville Poyferre is an eloquent testimony to this fact. On the palate, it greets with balanced layers of dark fruits and subtle spices – a classic Bordelais tapestry enriched by firm tannins that promise continued development and longevity. A discreet oaking strategy has ensured that each nuance remains honoured and unsullied, resulting in a wine that is stately yet reserved.
A Vintage Honouring Patience and Potential
Chateau Leoville Poyferre's craftsmen have orchestrated a wine replete with structure and grace; it’s a liquid chronicle destined for long-term cellaring. Savvy investors will note this 2012 offering as one poised for incremental appreciation, much like its storied predecessors.
In conclusion, the 2012 Leoville Poyferre symbolises a vintage shaped by resilience, illustrating that even under testing skies, St-Julien can craft wines of formidable character. For enthusiasts and investors alike, seizing upon such profound expressions offers both the joys of an exceptional drinking experience and the prospects of fruitful investment.
Current market price
£715.00
12x75cl
Highest score
93
POP score
55
Scores and tasting notes
This is chewy with a balanced and polished tannin structure. Full body, with very good depth. Long finish. It keeps going on and on. Very well done. Better than 2011. 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot. Merlot made it happen here.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com, April 4th 2013
Owned by the Cuvelier family since 1920, this property over the last 20 years has made some great wines in the Médoc. 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 Léoville Poyferré 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 Médocs.
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 29 April 2015
Tasted twice with consistent notes, the Grand Vin is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot (there is no Cabernet Franc unlike in 2011.) It was picked between 8th October and 19th October at 36hl/ha, when there was a torrential downpour and two plots were spoiled. The grapes were sorted on an Italian optical sorting machine. There is certainly impressive purity and intensity on the nose with ripe blackberry dark plum and touches of vanilla, a little more exotic than the 2011 this time last year. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe sweet tannins. It is typically relatively modern in style, quite opulent for a 2012 with a rounded, velvety finish with plush new oak (85%). Very fine. Tasted April 2013.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal May 2013
This wine seemed primary and not totally filled out or complete. No doubt it will put on some weight given the significant Merlot content in the final blend. There is a certain firmness, stiffness and lack of intensity on the mid-palate, and some tannins kick in in the finish. Nevertheless, there is more to this wine than first meets the palate. It is medium to full-bodied with an opaque color, good ripeness and some attractive weight, but is closed and hard. It needs time to pull itself together, and it should turn out to be an excellent, possibly outstanding effort.
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #206