Léoville-Poyferré St-Julien 2002

93 points Decanter: "Still very much in play, this has deep red fruits and great colour. Almost subdued due to the amount of oak and tannin, but has firm, ripe fruits and good integrity. Flashes of sexy, dramatic edging, as you expect from Poyferré. This is a great wine with plenty of time still ahead of it. Drink: 2017-2027. Alcohol 13.5%. (2017)"

93 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 18% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc. Grilled spice notes dominate on the opening beats of this wine, and the tannins remain very much in play, not constricting but playing a big role in the mouthfeel. There is a lovely classicisim to this vintage at Poyferré, with raspberry fruits, touches of hedgrow and bracken giving a wash of acidity, some earthy notes and again the balance that you look for in a classified St Julien. 80% new oak. Alcohol 13.7%. Drink 2021-2034. (7/29/21)"

92 points Bettane & Desseauve's Guides to the Wines of France: "A well-made wine with the classic tobacco and graphite notes specific to northern Saint-Juliens. Slightly less immediately appealing than Barton and less monumental than Las Cases, but balanced well for bottle aging. Drink: 2011 up to 2022. (2011)"

92 points Richard Jennings: "Lavender, lovely nose; tasty, elegant, cassis, berry palate with soft velvety tannins; medium finish. (1/22/05)"

90 points Robert Parker: "This wine has completely shut down since it’s been bottled but exhibits a saturated ruby/purple color, high levels of tannin, and sweet, noble black currant fruit intermixed with some licorice, espresso roast, and pain grille. In the vernacular, it is closed for business, with medium to full body, high levels of tannin, and good acidity in a more structured, classic style than the 2003. This is a big, traditionally made wine to forget for a good 5-8 years. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2020. (Apr 2005)"

90 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Ruby-red. Complex aromas of cherry, currant, cedar, tobacco, mocha, minerals, menthol and licorice. Bright and penetrating, with juicy acids giving definition to the wine's flavors. Flavors run more to black fruits than the nose would suggest. A nicely aromatic wine with ripe tannins and solid structure. (May/Jun 2005)"

90 points Connoisseurs' Guide: "Lovely aromas of cassis and rich oak set the stage for the solid, well-filled flavors that follow, and amidst the wine's ongoing themes of blackcurrants lie glimmers of graphite, briar and loam. Medium-full-bodied, well-ripened and fairly solid in feel, it is at once both supple and still slightly edgy with acids and tannins meeting up at the finish. Its last-minute toughness is easily forgiven as a failing of mere youth, and five or six years of patience will allow it to smooth and to knit more fully together. (Apr 2005)"