Pavillon de Léoville Poyferré

Pavillon de Léoville Poyferré

Still basking in the high of our spectacular dinner at 3-Michelin Star Alinea Restaurant, I wanted a special wine to enjoy with left over grilled ribeye beefsteak from our wine dinner the other evening, sliced and served as charcuterie with some artisan cheeses and a wedge salad, I pulled from the cellar this perennial favorite producer label from Château Léoville Poyferré.

Our visit and tour of Château Leoville Poyferré in St Julien Bordeaux was one of the highlights of our our trip to the region back in 2019, hence I was eager to taste this moderately aged release of this label.  And having just met owner/producer Anne Cuvelier from the storied family at the recent UGCB 2020 Vintage Release Tour tasting Chicago 2023, this was a perfect label to revisit those special memories. 

This is the second wine of the famous Cru Classé Château Léoville Poyferré, Pavillon is produced from the youngest vines of the famous estate. Bordering some of the most prestigious Bordeaux estates such as Pichon Baron and Léoville Las Cases, Chateau Leoville Poyferre has a long history dating back to the early 17th century. The company, located in the Saint-Julien appellation, is owned by the Cuvelier family and is widely famous for the elegance of its wines. The vineyards benefit from a terroir renowned for its gravel soils of the Garonne, which guarantees ideal conditions for growing grapes. The practices in the cellar are followed by the famous winemaker Michel Rolland as consultant advisor. 

The origin of Léoville goes back to 1638. Following various divisions and successions, Léoville Poyferré was born in 1840. In the 1855 classification of Médoc wines, it was endowed with the rank of Second Grand Cru Classé. 

The Cuvelier family acquired second growth Château Léoville Poyferré in 1920, which covers 143 acres, as well as Château Moulin Riche  comprising 43 acres. Located in the prestigious Saint-Julien appellation, the vineyards covers the different types of gravelly soils, which contribute to the amplitude and complexity of the wines. 

Pavillon de Léoville Poyferré St Julien Bordeaux 2015

Pavillon de Léoville Poyferré is the second wine of both châteaux, sourced from the younger vines. It is a classic Left Bank Bordeaux blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot, which is aged in third-passage barrels for nine months. The result is a more accessible, fruity, and easy-drinking wine, that is approachable at a young age for early gratification. 

This release was awarded 93 points by James Suckling, and 90 points by Lisa Perotti-Brown of Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.

Bright garnet-purple  colored, medium body, complex, concentrated intensity yet elegant and nicely balanced, aromatic flavors of ripe black currant and blackberry with notes of black tea, olive, earth and tobacco with soft and ripe tannins on a lingering tangy finish. 

RM 91 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2877098

http://www.leoville-poyferre.fr/en/