Jay Kline

9.1

Picked one of these up for a really good price and figured I’d give it a try in case I should go back and grab more. Popped and poured; consumed over eight hours. Pours really dark purple; opaque at the core. Initially, the nose was a little awkward with a sort of metallic smell (like licking a battery and yes, it’s one of this smells like something tastes things) developing shortly after opening. However, after about 30 minutes of air, the metallic thing was long gone and in its place was dark cherry, cassis, graphite, tobacco, a bit of a floral thing and some tilled earth. This only gained power and balance as time went on and the last glass was best. Honestly, this is astoundingly good QPR for sub $35 but it does need some patience at this stage. Give it some serious air if you must drink now or hold for 3-5 years in the cellar. Who knows, it could go longer considering the quality of the Chateau. I’ll buy more at this price. — 5 days ago

Chris England

9.6

My favourite St Julien in great year I got @ £82 now £190+ now 😱 So hard to stop drinking as it's good young & old 😍 Given 5-15 years this will be a 98+ wine easily 👍 It’s in a lovely place now 😍 Sexylicious 💗

📍 Chateau Leoville Poyferre 2005

🏵 96+ points with bigger potential as age will help this 😉

🍇 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot & 6% Petit Verdot

🍷 Opaque deep ruby

👃 Heady soft alluring smokey oak through spiced rich blackcurrant & creamy dark plum w/ double choc mocha, cracked rock mineral, blueberry, herbs & liquorice - dreamy 😉

👄 Med+ bodied silky intense mouth coating blackcurrant & dark plums w/ cocoa, black tea & liquorice in fine dry mineralised tannins

🎯 Long touch dry earthy dark fruits smothered in cocoa w/ a creamed liquorice 💋, black tea 🥊 & a dry mineral 👋 — 3 days ago

James Forsyth

9.8

The 1995 Mouton is just stunning. It's a pretty big wine but has amazing freshness. The season was ripe but the grapes were picked early. Perhaps this contributes to the menthol and sage notes that complement the ripe plums, cherries, leather and tobacco. Structurally it is stunning with soft resolved tannins. The finish is long with all the elements unfolding beautifully. Stunning. — 4 days ago

Shay A

9.6

Part 1 of the final and main event for the Fall WNH. The most spectacular lineup of wines I’ve ever seen, and an overall wonderful ending to an amazing trip with fantastic people.

This is a monster. A battle between fruit and herbal spices. Saddle leather, dusty/earthy underripe fruit (black and red dominant) with a graphite and charcoal/smoke finish. Didn’t get any stewed/muddled fruit notes which some say is common for this vintage. Hold and enjoy in 7+yrs (and the next 20 after that!) A treat, @Mike R . — 15 hours ago

with Mike, David and 5 others

Andrew Cullimore

9.7

Pretty deep garnet core , showing a little age as expected , the rim is quite thin and with a light garnet hue. Impressive aromatic nose straight from opening , leather , grafite , creme de cassis, truffle. Very masculine and aristocratic! Still holding a lot back and developing in the glass. In the mouth , quite dry and grippy tannins , the fruit is sweeter , very long on the palate nicely balanced acidity . Blackcurrant , coffee , mineral , creme de cassis . A very big wine , drinkable now though will no doubt improve over many years . Barely changed a day later after a night in the vacuvin . More spicy tobacco and soy showing , still marvelous length, showing there is still so much to give. — 10 days ago

Shay A

9.6

Part 1 of the final and main event for the Fall WNH. The most spectacular lineup of wines I’ve ever seen, and an overall wonderful ending to an amazing trip with fantastic people.

A baby, but already strutting its power. This is no doubt a modern take on Bordeaux with more rich/sweet black and blue fruit than others, but it reigns in before it gets too Nap-esque as the fruit is more underripe. Mid palate and finish show dark chocolate, bay leaf and a touch of leather. Because of the style, not too adverse to opening now with a 2-3hr decant, but this will improve for many years. Bravo, @Mike R . — 15 hours ago

with Mike, David and 5 others

Shay A

9.6

Part 1 of the final and main event for the Fall WNH. The most spectacular lineup of wines I’ve ever seen, and an overall wonderful ending to an amazing trip with fantastic people.

Greatest LB vintage yet? Sweet and crunchy cranberry, dark cocoa dusted bay leaf, saddle leather, tar/old pipe tobacco. A distinct smoked herbal note towards the back of the palate and in to the finish. 28yrs young and full of life! What a bottle, @Shawn R . — 13 hours ago

with Mike, David and 5 others

Andrew Cullimore

9.5

Still ruby centre and pink watery rim , quite youthful considering it’s from 2003. Out of the bottle is quite aromatic though feel that there is a lot held back . Quite youthful again , showing ripe , but no overripe black fruits . Lots of large tears , high in glycerin . There is also a floral, violet quality . Lots hidden and appear with each swirl of the glass. Chocolate and coffee also. On the palate lovely ripe dark fruits , ripe but not overly so, acidity is balanced and the wine certainly feels balanced . Probably slightly more masculine and full bodied than normal . Tannin is present and sweet , quite high alcohol but it doesn’t detract from what is a real success for the vintage . Lovely now but can age really quite well I suspect. — 10 days ago

Shay A

9.5

WNH event number 4. Perfect Pizza Pairing bottles. Not a bad bottle in the bunch!

This was a fantastic bottle with our pizza. A wonderful year in Bordeaux with a more approachable and fruit forward style. Not a ton of leather and smoke...more ripe black and red fruit. Cherry pipe tobacco, and rose petal and violets. No problem popping these now! All smiles, @Mike R ! — 3 days ago

with Mike, David and 5 others

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Steak & claret, it doesn’t get much better! The 06 has hit a nice window in its the evolution. Showing beautiful St. Julien softness & elegance.

The nose reveals dark currants & cassis. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, plum, blueberries, strawberries and creamy black raspberries. Black cherry cola, forest floor, limestone minerals, dry stones, mint, cedar, graphite, leather, tobacco leaf with dark fresh florals and bright violets.

The body is round, lush and full. The tannins are round, tarry, soft and ripe. The tension is just starting to relax. The structure still solid. The length & balance coming into its own. Lots of dark currants & cassis. Ripe; blackberries, bright dark cherries, plum, blueberries, strawberries and creamy black raspberries. Black cherry cola, red licorice, dark, damp forest floor, limestone, sandy dry soil, dry clay, minerals, dry stones, mint, Provence herbaceous notes, dark spice, good penetrating cedar plank, plenty of graphite, leather, tobacco leaf with dark fresh florals and bright violets. The acidity is magnificent. The long finish is ripe, elegance, evenly balanced fruit & earth and lasts minutes. Very good 🥩 wine.

Happy Birthday Sofia! 🎉🎊🎂 🎈Love you! 🌺

As good of window it’s in tonight, still needs another 5-8 years in bottle. Slight better with steak than on its own. 2 hour decant on review.


— 11 days ago