Chateau Leoville Poyferre 2nd Cru Classe du Medoc Saint-Julien 2016 750ml

Château Léoville Poyferré is a Second Growth of Saint-Julien in the 1855 classification, owned by the Cuvelier family since 1920. Its 80 hectares of gravel run along the Gironde, and the estate counts 2016 among its greatest vintages, after a wet winter and spring gave way to a dry, sunny summer.

The winery gives the 2016 blend as 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, from Mindel gravel terraces over sandy clay, harvested from 5 to 20 October. Critics report about 80% new oak. It's 13.5% alcohol.

The winemaker describes black fruit opening to spice with air, plump, dense and creamy tannins, gingerbread and nutmeg, and a fresh, elegant finish. Jeb Dunnuck calls it one of the most flamboyant and opulent wines of the vintage.

Against Chateau Branaire-Ducru 2016, Léoville Poyferré is the richer, more opulent Saint-Julien; for a plush 2016 to cellar, choose Léoville Poyferré.

James Suckling sees it evolving over a decade or more. Decant it well ahead and serve with lamb, ribeye or duck.

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