Leoville Poyferre 1982 (750ML)

97 WCI / 96 WA / 18.5 JR

The 1982 Léoville Poyferré continues to drink brilliantly at age 40 (and I have enjoyed three bottles this year), wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet cassis fruit mingled with notions of loamy soil, cigar wrapper, licorice, black truffle and pencil shavings. Full-bodied, broad and sumptuous, with a velvety attack that segues into a deep, fleshy core, it's generous and enveloping, with lively acids and fine, powdery tannins that still deliver a vestige of back-end grip. Today, this is a strong contender for the title of Saint-Julien's wine of the vintage, with Ducru-Beaucaillou and Léoville-Las Cases as its only plausible rivals. Tasted Dec/2022--William Kelley,  The Wine Advocate

68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc.
What a treat to taste this. Brownish red colour. A great example of the beauty of mature bordeaux aromas. Hard to describe but unmistakable. Lots of mulched leaves and something more balsamic, even minty, plus coffee, earth and a savoury umami character. On the palate, this has a succulent leathery sweetness and silky tannins. What a beauty. Perfect balance still. So much freshness. More mushroom with aeration, less mint, more umami. Gorgeous. Captivating, ever-changing in the glass.-Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson, tasted 3/21