Léoville Poyferré 2007

Grapy, richly fruity, medium-bodied flavors of cocoa, white chocolate, spicy herbs, and black currants jump from the glass of this deliciously evolved, complex wine. It is a soft, easy-going St.-Julien to consume over the next 8-10 years. Drink 2010-2020.

Tasted blind at the 2007 Bordeaux horizontal in Southwold. The nose is lacking a little vigour and definition: rather muffled black fruit, minerals, dark cherries but it opens up and coalesces in the glass. Modern in style, quite opulent for the vintage…typical of Didier's style. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe dusty tannins, quite spicy on the entry, nice weight and cohesion, a little dry towards the finish but decent length. Very fine. Drink 2012-2020

A medium-bodied red, with good berry and mineral character, fine tannins and a medium finish. A little lean

Pretty high volatility. Light, slightly powdery nose. Light fruit and a bit chewy and astringent on the finish. Sweetness on the front palate far from classic dry claret! Slightly pinched finish but quite elegant the right approach for the vintage. Drink 2011-16

Saturated ruby-red color. Reticent nose hints at medicinal black cherry, blueberry and camphor. Offers good texture and sweetness but seems a bit diffuse and lacking in structure today, with a rather high-pH feel and an impression of lowish acidity for this wine. Finishes with slightly dusty tannins and an easygoing character. A bit inexpressive and lacking in energy today; perhaps I caught it in an awkward stage.

Ripe fleshy black fruits fill out the nose and give weight to the start of the palate, rounded tannins adding to the fleshiness. On the mid palate there is some acidity that refreshes the flavours and gives brightness on the finish

Deep purple-red, nose of freshly crushed berry fruit, clear and clean and great purity of expression, full of charm yet fine length and balance. Drink 2013-22. 4 stars.