ExpressionDesTerroirs6WoodCase

Discover the wonderfully diverse terroirs of Saint-Julien in this exclusive case

For over 100 years, the Cuvelier Family has been tirelessly passionate about this multi-faceted land. Just as the lacemaker builds patterns point by point, each as delicate as they are varied, the Cuvelier Family reveals with each passing vintage the contours of the identity of the terroir with patience and authenticity.

These wines bear witness to the diversity of the gravel soils paired with the secular ‘savoir- faire’ of their teams. Château Léoville Poyferré, Château Moulin Riche and Pavillon de Léoville Poyferré reveal with confidence the secrets of a pluralist and surprising land. Generous soils and sandy-clay subsoils are paired by the deep gravel beds that were polished by the unrelenting flow of the Garonne Estuary over millennia.

Nature finds perfect balance; the clays bring freshness to the vines whereas the many gravels reflect and radiate the sun’s heat.

These vintages have been specially selected to reveal the voluptuousness and the personality of each wine, perfect for enjoying now or cellaring for a few more years. Let yourself be swept away by the beauty of their expressions.

Chateau Léoville Poyferré 2011

Densely-structured fruit backed up by firm tannins, not as ready to drink as some of the St-Juliens, and I would give it another three or four years to fully soften – or keep open for a good few hours before drinking. This is impressive for the vintage, it delivers both precision and creamy blackberry fruit. 6% Petit Verdot completes the blend.

• Drinking Window 2021 – 2040

• 95 pts Decanter

Chateau Léoville Poyferré 2012

A dark, fleshy wine, the Léoville Poyferré 2012 is round, succulent and deeply expressive. Dark red cherry, plum, mocha, graphite and lavender are fused together in an effortless, silky Saint-Julien built on texture. Striking and totally beautiful, the 2012 will be ready to deliver its charms early. All the elements are in the right place. This is a gorgeous showing from Léoville-Poyferré. The 2012 is perhaps not an epic wine, but is gorgeous today and should provide considerable pleasure over the next 15-20 years. The blend is 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot. – Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

• Should provide considerable pleasure over the next 15-20 years
• Blend is 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot
• 94pts Vinous Media

Chateau Moulin Riche 2014

The 2014 Moulin Riche is a very pretty wine from the sister estate of the Cuvelier family, who also own Leoville-Poyferre. Medium in body, with good underlying structure, the 2014 offers notable complexity and nuance. Smoke, tobacco, licorice and a host of dark-fleshed fruit notes confer a measure of gravitas. The blend is 53 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 27 % Merlot and 20 % Petit Verdot. – Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

• 91pts Vinous Media
• Blend is 53 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 27 % Merlot and 20 % Petit Verdot

Chateau Moulin Riche 2016

In 2016 Moulin Riche is absolutely gorgeous. Fresh, vibrant and full of energy, the 2016 is impressive today. The wine appears to have shed some baby fat and gained in aromatic complexity over the last two years. Sweet red-toned fruit, rose petal, mint and chalk lend understatement to the classy, mid-weight Saint-Julien. The 2016 was bottled at the end of May (earlier than many other Left Bank wines) and might be entering a period of closure. Still, I find a lot to admire. – Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

• 92+pts Vinous Media

Pavillon de Léoville Poyferré 2015

In spite of the generous ripe fruit, this also has the cool elegance and slightly austere finish of St.-Julien. Considerable intensity without any sense of heaviness make this an impressive example of modern winemaking. Second wine of Château Léoville Poyferré. – James Suckling

• 93pts James Suckling

Pavillon de Léoville Poyferré 2016

A cornucopia of ripe black cherries and blackberries here, married to full, supple and beautifully integrated tannins and just enough acidity to prevent it tipping over into sweetness. Long, silky finish. Second wine of Château Léoville Poyferré. A blend of 61 per cent cabernet sauvignon, 27 per cent merlot, eight per cent petit verdot and four per cent cabernet franc. Drink or hold. – James Suckling

• 93pts James Suckling
• Blend of 61% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot, 8% petit verdot and 4% cabernet franc