Château Léoville Poyferré St Julien 1855 2ième Cru 2011

There is an austerity to the tannins and the wine needs a few more years in bottle to really settle down, although you can begin now with a good long carafe. Inky ruby in colour, dark berry fruits infused with cappucino and smoked cedar notes, as it opens you really feel the benefit of Poyferré’s confidence with extraction, as this avoids some of the issues of 2011s that can feel underwhelmingly subdued and manages to deliver a creamy texture. Same score as when tasted at the 10 years on point in early 2021. Harvest September 19 to October 1. 80% new oak.