Château Léoville Poyferré 2022

At Château Léoville Poyferré the motto is, “The essential is invisible to the eye.”  This esteemed Saint-Julien producer does not believe in the extreme pomp and circumstance of an over-the-top château.  Instead, they believe that true opulence stems from their winemaking team, terroir, and their classically luxurious wines.

This Second Growth Estate has arguably some of the best terroir and is capable of producing some of the most striking wines in Saint-Julien.  Prior to its inception in 1840, Château Léoville Poyferré was a small portion of the vastly enormous Léoville Estate.  Château Léoville was a leader in terms of viticultural innovation.  They allowed for grapes to produce smaller berries which would inevitably yield a richer, more concentrated wine.  They trellised their grapes with pinewood – something that was considered revolutionary at the time.  They also were among the first to age their wine in oak barrels and clean them with a sulfur solution.  These may not seem like major breakthrough ideas in our current era, but in the 1800s they were considered revolutionary.  

Eventually after the French Revolution, the massive Léoville Estate was parceled off into Château Léoville Las Cases, Château Léoville Barton and Château Léoville Poyferré.  Funnily enough, all three estates still share the same parking lot, and the buildings remain connected – just as they were centuries ago.  Château Léoville Poyferré was acquired by Jeanne-Marie Poyferré de Ceres.  After a period of turbulence, the estate was purchased by the Cuvelier family in the 1920s and that’s when Château Léoville Poyferré rose to prominence.  The Cuvelier family had a strong history as négociants, and purchased other successful estates including Château Le Crock in 1903.  In 1979 Didier Cuvelier became the cellar master and took the estate to new heights by implementing a 19-year program to replant the vineyards.  Didier doubled the vineyard from 48 hectares to what it is today, 80 hectares.  The estate is currently managed by his highly gifted niece, Sara Lecompte Cuvelier. 

One might think that with such a “no frills” ethos, the team at Léoville Poyferré may not prioritize having some of the most innovative technology.  This is not the case, and though they are about simplicity, Château Léoville Poyferré vehemently embraces new winemaking technology.  In 2010 Léoville Poyferré renovated their vat rooms with a state-of-the-art underground pipe system to delicately transfer the wine from the tanks to the barrels.   Prior to this ingenious system, the wine was moved by hand and tractors.  

Like any great visionary estate, the team at Château Léoville Poyferré also takes immense pride in sustainability and producing their wines with great responsibility.  Château Léoville Poyferré proudly carries a High Environmental Value (HEV) score of 3.  They are also members of the Environmental Management System of the Interprofessional Council of Bordeaux Wine. The wines they produce are beautiful and elegant, favoring Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller additions of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.  Because of their increasing quality with each passing vintage, Château Léoville Poyferré is a producer that should be on everyone’s radar.  

"Reminding me of the 2018 (as well as the 2009), if not slightly more concentrated, the 2022 Château Léoville Poyferré is one of the most opulent and flamboyant wines out of the Médoc in 2022, and it has incredible intensity while staying light on its feet and graceful. Its dense, glass-staining purple hue is followed by a sensational perfume of crème de cassis, graphite, darker chocolate, scorched earth, and flowers. Full-bodied on the palate, it brings extravagant levels of fruit as well as a seamless mouthfeel, beautifully integrated oak, tannins, and acidity, no hard edges, and a gorgeous finish. It shines even today, yet it has beautiful underlying structure and will evolve gracefully over the coming 30+ years. The 2022 is based on 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and 4% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, aged 18-20 months in 80% new oak." - Jeb Dunnuck, (02/27/2025), Ratings: 100

"Intense, powerful, delicious, creamy raspberry and black cherry fruits, textured and confident in its tannic grip, with a freshness that runs from opening to close of play. Underlines just how well St Julien delivered in 2022. Sara Lecompte-Cuvelier director and co-owner." - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux, (03/07/2025), Ratings: 98 

"The 2022 Léoville-Poyferré is super-exotic. Dense and pliant, with striking mid-palate depth and exquisite balance, this is pure sensuality. Red cherry, apricot, blood orange, wildflowers and spices all meld together as the 2022 opens in the glass. Seamless, refined tannins extend the mid-palate and finish. The purity of the fruit is remarkable. I also find the new wood imprint—long a signature here—much less evident than in the past. Earlier picking in the Merlot today yields a wine with more red fruit tones than in the past, when Léoville-Poyferré was a darker wine. It will be interesting to see if these are long-term trends. Tasted three times. Stellar." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, (01/28/2025), Ratings: 96

"Another excellent showcasse for this estate run by Sara Lecompte Cuvelier. Supple, lively, fresh and round, a nice controlled core of red and black fruit - blackcurrants, cherries and violets with juicy acidity and lean tannins that are fine and well integrated. This feels powerful and concentrated no doubt but the strength comes underneath the fruit and acidity, like a creeping tiger waiting to pounce. Lovely frame and execution, feels on the more opulent and potent side but the acidity and tannin definition is brilliant and this has a really drinkable and moreish quality. 4% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 3.87pH. 9% press wine. A yield of 33.4hl/ha. 75% grand vin production. Julien Viaud consultant. Tasted three times and was impressed each time. Ageing 18-20 months in French oak barrels, 80% new, 20% second fill." - Georgina Hindle, Decanter, (05/25/2023), Ratings: 96