Château Léoville Poyferré 2022

Château Léoville Poyferré is one of the classed growths of Saint-Julien, on the left bank of Bordeaux, and this wine is a classic Médoc blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The estate's gravel soils, laid down by the Gironde, drain well and store heat, helping the late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon reach full maturity while keeping the vine roots reaching deep for water and minerals. The maritime climate moderated by the estuary gives a long, even growing season. The wine is aged for 18 months in oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange softens the firm Cabernet tannins, fixes the colour and adds spice, cedar and a fine structure built for the cellar. The colour is deep and dark. The nose shows ripe blackberry, plum and cassis with cocoa, vanilla, tobacco and a savoury edge. The palate is full bodied and structured, with firm fine-grained tannins, fresh acidity and a long, layered finish. This is a wine that rewards cellaring. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees and decant an hour or two ahead. It suits roast beef, lamb and game.