You're getting the aged, mature aromas; cola, toffee, caramel, vanilla and blackcurrant. Slightly subdued on the palate. still knitted down but so well structured, this will age for years to come. The flavours fill the mouth, soft and succulent, velvety tannins have texture and grip with touches of spice lingering at the back - clove and liquorice with dark cocoa powder. A true gourmet wine that you want a delicious plate of food to soften and expand the different aspects going on. Still succulent and mouth watering, the mature notes coming through but still with the concentration and elegance. A great effort from the difficult 2008 vintage. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot. Harvest 6-18 October. (GH)  (3/2022)

 Classic, balanced, restrained, everything is knitted down and concentrated, with tannins that have grain and grip and will age for decades. Liqourice, chocolate shavings, cassis, enjoyable wine with edges of gourmet richness that become clear with time in the glass. Clearly one of the best of a vintage that was difficult for much of the season but enjoyed late season sun - something that is clear through the harvest dates, that stretched from October 6 to 18 (exactly the same dates as followed at neighbouring Léoville Las Cases). 80% new oak.  (7/2021)

 One of the finest over-achieving efforts in this vintage as well as a 'best buy' for a top-flight St.-Julien, this 2008 is an irresistible success. It reveals an opaque ruby/purple color, lots of unctuosity and a boatload of sweet cassis and black cherry fruit intertwined with notions of licorice, smoke and oak. Full-bodied, remarkably concentrated and stunningly pure and textured, this sensational wine is already drinking well, and will be even better with 2-3 years of cellaring. It should last for 20-25 years. Bravo! (RP)  (5/2011)

 The 2008 Léoville-Poyferré has long been one of the best Saint-Julien’s of the vintage. It has a vibrant, exquisitely delineated bouquet with precise black fruit, cedar and hints of liquorice that unfold seductively. The oak here is beautifully enmeshed. The palate is medium-bodied with melted tannins, a fine bead of acidity, very harmonious with pure red fruit laced with allspice, clove and bay leaf towards the finish. A brilliant wine from former winemaker Didier Cuvelier. Tasted at the Léoville-Poyferré vertical at the château with Sara Lecompte Cuvelier. (NM)  (6/2021)