Château Léoville Poyferré St Julien 1855 2ième Cru 2000

Olive tapenade, leather, black tea, liquorice, alongside ripe blackberry fruits that remain generous at 21 years old. There are plenty of fine but firm tannins and after a stubborn start the vintage is finally starting to relax and open up. As you settle in, the sweet fruit falls away to allow a complex addition of licking salinity with crushed stones and slate texture, with remnants of the toasted oak that it was aged in giving a smoky seductive finish. Ready to drink with a short decanting. Harvest September 26 to October 10. This was Isabelle Davin’s first year as technical director, with Michel Rolland consultant since 1996. Blending at the end of ageing at the time (through to 2005). 80% new oak.