Château Léoville Poyferré 1999 is a Saint-Julien from Bordeaux, carrying the estate’s 2ème Grand Cru Classé (Second Growth) status. Now well into maturity, it shows the more traditional, savory side of the appellation rather than an overtly plush, modern expression. The bottle is sealed under natural cork, as noted in Decanter’s listing for the wine.
In the published reviews provided, Jeff Leve of TheWineCellarInsider.com gives the 1999 a strong **90-point** score—an excellent mark for a wine in a vintage that many drinkers approach for its readiness rather than sheer power. Leve’s note captures where the wine is today, emphasizing evolved complexity over fruit-forward intensity. He writes that “at age 12, this is tasting mature with its tobacco, mushroom and earthy… personality,” and he highlights a core that is still clearly Médoc in character, describing it as “cassis and cranberry driven.”
On the palate, the review points to a wine that is measured and composed. Leve calls it “medium bodied,” and frames it as “this lighter style of St, Julien,” suggesting a profile built more on aromatic nuance, earthy detail, and balanced structure than on density or extraction. That restraint can be a virtue for drinkers who prize classic claret shape: moderate weight, savory complexity, and a finish that doesn’t rely on sheer mass.
For practical drinking, the guidance is straightforward. Leve notes it “will offer the most pleasure over the next 5-7 years,” positioning the 1999 as a bottle to open with confidence rather than hold indefinitely. Expect mature Bordeaux flavors—tobacco leaf, forest floor, and red-and-black fruit—delivered in a steady, Saint-Julien register.
