2017 Château Léoville-Poyferré

Tasted blind. Deep ruby colour. Blue fruit, crème de cassis and baking spices with a hint of fig on the nose, this is inky and rich. Plush and chewy on the palate, there are layers of charred wood, incense, blueberry and bramble fruit together. This is a powerful and ripe but structured wine. The smoky oak is evident for now but it should integrate nicely over the next few years. Full bodied for the vintage, with a long and toasty finish. (TP)

Smoky aromatics, as is often the case in the lighter vintages at this estate, as the oak regime becomes more apparen. Rather than being intrusive, it adds an enticing feeling of glamour, and the silky texture of the fruit is immediately apparant, as are the high levels of juicy blue fruits. Chocolate shavings liqourice and fresh mint leaf. The frost that affected so many estates in 2017 had no impact here, and the yields reached a full 52hl/h. Last vintage under Didier Cuvelier. You can wait, but there is plenty to enjoy about this vintage even at this early stage. 80% new oak.

67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. The team behind this say it has always been charming. Lustrous dark garnet with a suggestion of velvet texture. Rich, chestnutty nose with just enough acidity on the palate where there is real sweetness too. Tannins are almost imperceptible. Neat, dry finish and this is so smooth and gentle that it could almost be drunk without food, despite its extreme youth in bordeaux terms. Less dramatic than most vintages of this wine. But clearly well made. (JR)