Léoville-Poyferré St-Julien 2015

98 points (19/20)/'Le Coup de Coeur,' La Revue du Vin de France: "Here is a very strong candidate in the race for the top wine of the vintage. Massive, dense, but also very subtle, it imposes its mouth of great raciness and especially of very noble tannins. (2018)"

97 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2015 Leoville Poyferre is cut from the same cloth as the 2016, yet is more sexy, rounded and opulent. Notes of cassis, licorice, crushed rocks, lead pencil shavings and graphite all emerge from this unctuous, ripe, pedal-to-the-metal beauty that's absolutely loaded with fruit and texture. Reminding me of the 2003, yet only fresher, don't miss this beauty. It should be drinkable in 3-4 years and last for 3-4 decades. The blend of the 2015 is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Drink: 2021-2061. (11/30/17)"

97 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Showing just a hint of lightening in the color, the wine is showy from the get-go with its nuances of black and red currants, spice, flowers, creme de cassis, thyme, smoke, and licorice in the perfume. On the palate, the wine is opulent, long, polished, lush, and elegant. The fruit glides across your palate, serving up waves of sweet, deep, red berries. The finish lingers, builds, and expands. Give this a few more years and you will find even more opulence and sensuality. Drink from 2027-2057. (Jul 2022)"

96 points Andy Howard, MW (Decanter): "Sumptuous and perfectly balanced, the 2015 Poyferre seems to have outshone both Leoville Barton and Las Cases (the latter is pretty unyielding now and needs lots of time). There is an intense, fleshy, dark fruit core with fine, polished tannins and a lingering, fresh finish. It’s very elegant and precise with only 13.5% alcohol. Although Saint-Julien was affected by rain, there's no sense of dilution here. It finishes with a highly appealing stony, mineral textured aftertaste. Drinking Window: 2022-2045. (Nov 2019)"

96 points James Suckling: "A rich and intense red with blackberries, tar and spices. Black tea and blueberries. Full-bodied, very layered and multi-dimensional. Very long and flavorful. Such great texture. A dynamic and superb red. Drink in 2023. (2/2/18)"

96 points/'Cellar Selection,' Wine Enthusiast: "Following the style that this estate has now adopted, this is an ultrarich, concentrated wine. However its acidity and bright black-currant fruits contrast well with this solid base. Drink this impressive wine from 2026. Alcohol 13.5%. (Feb 2018)"

96 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "The 2015 Leoville Poyferre is medium to deep garnet colored. It needs a fair bit of coaxing to unlock notes of blueberry pie, kirsch, and blackcurrant pastilles, plus touches of garrigue, potpourri, and dusty soil. The medium-bodied palate is very tightly wound and youthful still, delivering a frame of firm, ripe tannins and tons of freshness, finishing long and earthy. Alcohol 13.5%. Drink: 2022-2045. (6/29/22)"

95 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot). Cumin, smoked cinnamon, blackberry and cassis, with a slate scrape of tannins, this conveys plenty of estate signature and rises above shortcomings of 2015 in this corner of the region. You can find more concentrated Poyferrés in the estate's back vintages, but that makes it a great moment to begin drinking. Remarkably similar to the last time I tasted this two years ago, suggesting that this is very much in peak drinking, and will continue to deliver over the next decade at least. Harvest September 24 to October 10. 80% new oak for ageing. Alcohol 13.5%. Drink: 2025-2048. (2/6/25)"

95 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2015 Léoville Poyferré has a very backward nose, perhaps with a little more new oak to be subsumed compared to its peers, indicating that this is Poyferré. The fresh, focused palate is very well defined, displaying supple tannin and a fine bead of acidity. The almost understated, lip-smackingly saline finish is pure class. This is a very fine Saint-Julien. Chapeau, Didier Cuvelier. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting. (Jul 2019)"

95 points Wine Spectator: "Dark plum cake, blueberry reduction and açaí berry fruit tilts this to the exotic side of the ledger, with warm ganache, melted black licorice and tar notes providing the spine through the lush finish. Displays some serious latent grip, so there's no rush despite the showy fruit. Best from 2022 through 2040. (3/31/18)"

94 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate): "The 2015 Leoville Poyferre is deep garnet-purple colored with a nose of grilled meats, baked plums, crème de cassis and baker's chocolate with nuances of dusty soil and iron ore plus a hint of bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied, very firm and muscular in the mouth, it is built like a brick house with a mineral-tinged finish. Drink: 2021-2038. (Feb 2018)"