Our Wines & Spirits

Neal Martin: The 2014 Leoville-Poyferre was surprisingly backwardand tight on the nose (usually it is the most expressive andgenerous Leoville in its youth). The precision and focus is intact,but it is broody and sultry at the moment. The palate ismedium-bodied with firm structure, which suggests that it hasturned volte face since its opulent showing in barrel. Overall,this comes across as perhaps a slightly more austere and masculinewine from Didier Cuvelier, though that is not a criticism, just anobservation. I would like to see a little more persistence on thefinish, but the tidings bode well for this mercurial andfascinating Leoville-Poyferre. I can see it improving with bottleage, hence the plus sign against my score.