The 2018 Leoville-Poyferre Bordeaux Blend is a standout wine from the St Julien sub-region of Bordeaux, France. This red wine is composed of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc, aged in 80% new oak barriques, and has an alcohol content of 14.5%.
James Suckling describes the wine as "dark cherry, plum, spice and cacao with earthy notes and wood undertones" and praises its "balanced, complex and flavorful" character, recommending it be tried after 2025. Wine Enthusiast's Roger Voss also awards it a high 97, describing it as "richly dense and impressively concentrated" with "swathes of black fruits."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, through Lisa Perrotti-Brown, notes its "exuberant scents of Morello cherries, plum preserves and blackberry pie," and lauds its "full-bodied, rich and decadent" palate. Jeff Leve of TheWineCellarInsider.com mentions its "smoke, licorice, espresso, spice, blackberry and roasted currants" aroma, suggesting patience for optimal enjoyment.
Jeb Dunnuck gives an exceptional score of 100, calling it a "total thrill" and a "legendary wine in the making," with an anticipated longevity of 40-50 years. Decanter's review highlights its "gorgeously rich, heady and seductive nose" and notes the "lovely weight in the mouth with cherry and blackcurrant flavors."
Vinous praises its "broad and sensual" palate, while Jane Anson notes its "concentrated but luscious" character with "liquorice, chocolate, blackberry" flavors. The Wine Independent highlights its "bold notes of prunes, baked black currants and stewed blackberries" with "fantastic persistence."
Overall, the 2018 Leoville-Poyferre is celebrated for its complexity, concentration, and potential for long-term aging, making it a notable wine for collectors and enthusiasts alike.