Gorgeous stuff and certainly one of the gems in the vintage, the 2003 Château Léoville Poyferré reveals a healthy ruby/plum hue with no signs of bricking. Ripe currants, sappy tobacco, cedar pencil, and minty herbs all define the aromatics, and it's full-bodied on the palate, with a layered, round, lush texture. Its tannins are soft and beautifully integrated, and it has terrific balance and a gorgeous finish.

Surprisingly fresh, texturally, the wine is opulent, silky, and showy on the palate, but the nose is not overripe. Instead, you find dark red berries, licorice, smoke, and perhaps touches of a robusto cigar wrapper. There is no reason to wait here, if you have a bottle, pull a cork. Drink from 2023-2030.

The spectacular 2003 Leoville Poyferre exhibits a dense purple color with a touch of lightening at the edge as well as notes of creosote, barbecue smoke, jammy black currants, licorice and spice box. This intense, voluptuously textured, full-bodied St.-Julien possesses low acidity and ripe tannin. Still fresh and exuberant, it is just entering its plateau of full maturity where it should remain for 10-15+ years. - Robert M. Parker, Jr.

(95 points) I love the rich and opulent nose to this with flowers, plums and currants. Full and powerful with great freshness and balance. Still a little tight, yet dense and intense. Wonderful wine through and through. Leave it alone for five or six years still. Pull the cork after 2016.

(95+ points) Let me be clear from the start, 2003 Leoville Poyferré is not for kids! This wine has a deep somewhat strawberry-like nose with hints of blackberries, tar and coal. These nuances continue in a deep, bitter-tannic taste which is filled with layers of ink-dark rusty, leather like notes. It is an overwhelming glass of wine that is nowhere near ready for consumption and frankly one wonders if this wine should be approached with knife and fork? Give it another 4-5 years before breaching the seal. - Ivar Bjurner

Pure cassis on the nose. Impressive. Full-bodied thick and powerful with loads of fruit and big velvety tannins. Goes on for minutes on the palate. Huge wine. Very very impressive. This is one of the big surprises of the vintage. Best after 2012. 19165 cases made. –JS

In 1855, the estate was still owned by Baron Jean-Marie de Poyferré, who married Jeanne de Las Cases and gave the estate its name. It would stay in their family until 1865. Captures the generosity and spice of 2003, and still going strong at 22 years old, against all odds at the time of this hot, dry harvest. Expect sandalwood, campfire smoke, cedar and black pepper alongside sweet black cherry flesh and supple tannic grip. 80% new oak, at a great moment to drink.

(93 points) A huge, opulent wine that packs sweet, rich tannins and spicy fruit. In the midst of all this decadence, though, is a kernel of tannic dryness. This estate, long the weakest of the three Lèoville wines, is now back in top form. Imported by Diageo Chateau & Estates.

The 2003 Léoville-Poyferré has always been one of this infamous vintage’s success stories. Perhaps in recent years it has lost some of its vigour on the nose with black plum, brown spices, leather and that light Bovril aroma, but there is better delineation than many others. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and quite savoury. It is beginning to show some dryness and little monotony on the finish. I wonder whether its best days are behind it? Still a very decent showing however. Tasted at the Léoville-Poyferré vertical at the château with Sara Lecompte Cuvelier. -- Neal Martin