Chateau Leoville Poyferre – Saint-Julien – 2018

Blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot.

Every bit as good as the 2009, and I think better than the 2010 and 2016, the 2018 Château Léoville Poyferré is a total thrill that tops out my scale. Its’ dense purple hue is followed by an incredible, full-bodied monster of a wine that, despite massive amounts of fruit, tannin’s, and extract, still stays weightless and ethereal, with incredible purity. Loaded with notions of crème de cassis, spring flowers, tobacco, violets, charcoal, and cedar pencil, it’s extraordinarily concentrated, flawlessly balanced, and has a finish that won’t quit. This is a legendary wine in the making. Give bottles 7-8 years, a decade would be even better, and it will keep for 40-50 years. Hats off to the Cuvelier family for another extraordinary wine! Jeb Dunnick – 100

#7 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2021