Reminding me of the 2018 (as well as the 2009), if not slightly more concentrated, the 2022 Château Léoville Poyferré is one of the most opulent and flamboyant wines out of the Médoc in 2022, and it has incredible intensity while staying light on its feet and graceful. Its dense, glass-staining purple hue is followed by a sensational perfume of crème de cassis, graphite, darker chocolate, scorched earth, and flowers. Full-bodied on the palate, it brings extravagant levels of fruit as well as a seamless mouthfeel, beautifully integrated oak, tannins, and acidity, no hard edges, and a gorgeous finish. It shines even today, yet it has beautiful underlying structure and will evolve gracefully over the coming 30+ years. The 2022 is based on 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and 4% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, aged 18-20 months in 80% new oak.
#7 in Top 100 World Wines, 2025. A mind-blowing Leoville Poyferre, probably one of the best for a long time. Huge depth and structure, showing a deep matrix of fruit full of fresh blackberries and a dash of ink and lead pencil. Such verticality on the full-bodied palate with beautiful balance and a clear finish that goes on and on for more than a minute. Great potential ahead. This was tasted at the UCGB tasting and was one of the best wines of the day. Drink after 2028. It should improve in the next 10 to 15 years.
TWI
98pts
The Wine Independent
The 2022 Léoville-Poyferré is a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc, and the élevage was 18 to 20 months in 80% new oak. A smoky, brooding nose here, with dense layers of damson, currant and blackberry fruit, perfumed with rose petal, white peach, orange and mint, very defined and pure, and clearly elevated several steps above the rest of the Cuvelier range (which includes Moulin Riche and Le Crock as well as the Poyferré second wine). The palate shows a rather accessible charm compared to the wine from Léoville-Barton, perhaps the effect of the Merlot showing though, being dark, dense and brooding yet texturally accessible, with layers of olive, blackberry, tar and black pepper set over a very tightly knit and finely pointed core of tannin. This is just delightful, with fabulous ripeness and substance, with wonderfully dark fruit, and an integrated structure which demands a decade or two of cellar time. A superb wine with a long, lingering core of tannin;a wine which buyers may well end up leaving to their children. Or grandchildren. Remarkable. Tasted five times. The alcohol on the label is 14%.
94-96 The 2022 Léoville Poyferré has turned out very nicely, offering up aromas of crème de cassis, cherries, violets and creamy new oak, followed by a medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy palate that's ripe but lively, with supple tannins and a long, vanillin-inflected finish. This year, the team began picking their Merlot comparatively early and didn't perform a saignée (tank bleed), given the natural concentration of the vintage, though it remains the most flamboyant and demonstrative of the three Léoville estates, seeing some 80% new oak with malolactic fermentation in barrique for the new barrels. It will be a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
Highly concentrated and deep on the palate, this extends vertically from the beginning with layers of fleshy blackcurrant, super juicy cherries and salty stones. I love the feeling in the mouth, it's still got some sticky liquorice spice that edges the tannins, but this feels confident and showy. I like the force - it's taking the power of the vintage but edging the glamorous side with elegance and precision. Chewy and totally moreish. Great work. 4% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 3.77pH.
Solid, dark and winey, with a well-structured core that holds blackberry and plum reduction notes in a tightly knit mix of apple wood, licorice root and warm cast iron. The long and direct finish throws off hints of violet and ink. For the cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2027 through 2042.
The 2022 Léoville-Poyferré has a well defined bouquet with blackberry, raspberry and subtle floral scents, with just a touch of warmth coming from the alcohol. The palate is medium-bodied with rounded tannins. It is low in acidity yet retains balance. There are layers of blackberry, boysenberry and a touch of allspice, with quite a persistent and powerful finish. Give this several years in bottle. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.