Château Léoville Poyferré 1998

Characteristics and tasting advice for Château Léoville Poyferré 1998

Tasting

Colour
This red wine displays a deep, intense ruby hue that develops subtle garnet highlights with age.

Nose
The bouquet is particularly succulent and complex. It releases deep aromas of ripe black fruit such as blackcurrant and cherry, harmoniously blended with tertiary notes of truffle, undergrowth, leather and blond tobacco, all underscored by a delicate hint of iodine and vanilla.

Palate
The attack is broad and fleshy, revealing a rich, full-bodied texture. The structure rests on velvety, well-integrated tannins that provide lovely density. The long finish lingers on nuances of black fruit and subtle gamey notes.

Food and wine pairing

This great wine pairs beautifully with robust red meats, such as a dry-aged rib of beef or a rump steak. It also enhances wild mushroom dishes, such as a porcini risotto, as well as roast game birds or slow-cooked dishes. To round off the meal, a hard cheese such as a mature Comté will make an excellent choice.

Serving and ageing

To fully appreciate the complexity of Château Léoville Poyferré 1998, serve it at a temperature of around 15.5 to 16°C. Gentle aeration is recommended, opening the bottle one to two hours before tasting. This mature wine is ready to drink now and can be kept until around 2025.

The elegance and richness of a great Saint-Julien wine

The estate

Born from the division of a vast historic estate, Château Léoville Poyferré was officially established in 1840. Located in the Bordeaux region, this illustrious property has been classified as a Deuxième Grand Cru Classé since 1855. The Cuvelier family has been at the helm of the estate since 1920 and, over the decades, has modernised its facilities while preserving the authentic expression of the terroir. Today, with around 80 hectares of vines, the property stands out for a philosophy that places teamwork and expertise at the heart of its winemaking.

The vineyard

Nestled in the heart of the Saint-Julien appellation, the terroir consists of thick, perfectly drained terraces of Mindel gravel over a clay-sand subsoil. This exceptional geology, combined with the moderating influence of the nearby Gironde estuary, forces the vines, which average 38 years of age, to root deeply. This configuration naturally limits yields and promotes slow, optimal ripening of the grapes.

The vintage

In the Médoc, 1998 stood out for weather conditions that produced uneven results from one sector to another. On the great gravel terroirs, however, the growing season allowed fine phenolic ripeness to be reached without excess, resulting in a healthy harvest well suited to producing dense, classic wines with a solid structure.

Vinification and ageing

To craft Château Léoville Poyferré 1998, the berries undergo rigorous selection. Vinification is carried out with precision in stainless steel vats, allowing optimal temperature control during fermentation. The wine then undergoes extended ageing for 18 to 20 months in new oak barrels, a key stage in refining its tannic structure and subtly integrating the oak notes.

Grape varieties

Cabernet Sauvignon (63%), Merlot (25%), Petit Verdot (7%), Cabernet Franc (5%).