At a glance

Producer

Château Léoville Poyferré

Region

Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France

Grape variety

Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant Bordeaux blend

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$150-$250

Tasting profile

Blackcurrant, cedar, graphite, tobacco leaf, with restrained dark fruit and mineral notes

Evolution: Fruit richness and complexity will increase; tertiary notes of leather, truffle, and forest floor expected with age

At peak: Deep, complex wine with velvety tannins, harmonious acidity, and intense lingering finish

Structure

Acidity

Medium to high, balanced

Tannins

Firm, grainy, well-integrated

Alcohol

Around 13.5%

Aging potential

30-40+ years due to producer reputation, vintage quality, and classic Saint-Julien structure

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2028 to 2060

Optimal window

2024 to 2063

Current status

Approaching early maturity; drinking well with some cellaring still advantageous

Current condition

Showing tight fruit and structure typical of young 2016 Bordeaux with potential to develop tertiary complexity

The Saint-Julien terroir combined with top-tier vintage (2016) and meticulous château vinification create robust tannic structure and balanced acidity allowing the wine to evolve gracefully over multiple decades.

Food pairing

Ideal with roasted lamb, game birds, grilled beef, mushroom risotto, and aged hard cheeses like Comté or Parmesan.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — To soften tannins and allow primary aromatics to unfold for optimal enjoyment

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Water conservation measures, selective hand harvesting, energy-efficient winery operations, bottle lightweighting initiatives

Château Léoville Poyferré employs recognized sustainable viticulture standards emphasizing soil health, biodiversity, and reduced synthetic input usage but does not fully embrace organic or biodynamic certification. Energy and water efficiency efforts help reduce environmental impact, balanced against global export transport.