Chateau Leoville Poyferre 2003

DECANTER: "Expect chocolate, dried fruits and fig flavours that are not quite at prune stage, we are revelling in exoticism and hedonism here. The fruit is clearly ripe and exotic, but it does still have a core of freshness that runs through it; the river and the terroir did their job in this vintage. This steals up on you and has real charm and definition. In such a hot vintage it is reasonable to ask if an earlier harvest in St-Julien would have been preferable — I would say give the Léoville Poyferré the benefit of the doubt. The northern Médoc got touch of rain (40mm) in mid August and mid July, so it was a little luckier than other areas. 2% Cabernet Franc makes up the rest of the blend. Drinking Window 2018 - 2028"

FALSTAFF: "Kräftiges Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Entwickeltes zugängliches Bukett, reife Kirschenfrucht, ein Hauch von Pflaumen, Edelholznuancen, ein Hauch von schwarzen Trüffeln. Stoffig, kraftvoll, runde Tannine, wirkt bereits sehr gut entwickelt, schwarzes Beerenkonfit im Nachhall, erstaunlich zugänglich, Röstaromen im Nachhall."

JAMES SUCKLING: "So much blue fruit here, together with mushrooms and dried cherries. Some flowers, too. Full-bodied with dusty, chewy tannins. Velvety. Lots of everything here, in a slightly old-school way. A tiny bit dry on the finish. Drink or hold."

THE WINEADVOCATE: "The spectacular 2003 Leoville Poyferre exhibits a dense purple color with a touch of lightening at the edge as well as notes of creosote, barbecue smoke, jammy black currants, licorice and spice box. This intense, voluptuously textured, full-bodied St.-Julien possesses low acidity and ripe tannin."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "This is drinking just great today. Instantly, you are treated to layers of luscious, opulent, sweet, ripe fruit that coats your palate. Silky, full-bodied, rich and flamboyant, if you have a bottle and you're waiting for the right moment, that moment is now! Pull a cork and enjoy it!!! The wine is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot."

WEINWISSER: "Extrem dunkles Granat-Purpur, noch undurchdringlich. Heisses, berauschendes Bouquet, geröstete Himbeerkerne, Honig und Grenadine, viele Kräuter sich darin vermischend, beispielsweise getrockneter Thymian. Berauschender Gaumen, fette, rundliche Gerbstoffe, sich wie eine Mischung eines fetten Châteauneuf und grossen Richebourg trinkend, also typisch, aber eine süchtig machende Weinsensation."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "A huge, opulent wine that packs sweet, rich tannins and spicy fruit. In the midst of all this decadence, though, is a kernel of tannic dryness. This estate, long the weakest of the three Lèoville wines, is now back in top form. Imported by Diageo Chateau & Estates."

WINESPECTATOR: "Pure cassis on the nose. Impressive. Full-bodied, thick and powerful, with loads of fruit and big, velvety tannins. Goes on for minutes on the palate. Huge wine. Very, very impressive. This is one of the big surprises of the vintage. Best after 2012."