In the heart of Saint-Julien, amid gravel-rich soils and centuries of tradition, Château Léoville Poyferré stands as a quiet force in Bordeaux. Its legacy is woven through time—first as part of one of the largest wine estates in the region, and later as a distinguished Second Growth in the 1855 classification. Even in the 18th century, its wines were turning heads: during his tour of Bordeaux, Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States and an avid oenophile, noted the estate in his travel journals, recording it as “Lionville.” A fleeting mention, perhaps—but one that hints at the enduring allure of this exceptional terroir.

 

Once a single estate, Léoville was divided in the 19th century into three names now etched into Bordeaux lore: Léoville-Las Cases, Léoville-Barton, and Léoville Poyferré. Though the vineyards were separated, the buildings remained entwined—so much so that the parking lot is still shared between Las Cases and Poyferré. During a visit to the estate, Olivier Cuvelier shared a quiet anecdote: when Cuvelier of Poyferré and Delon of Las Cases needed to speak, they would step out of their respective châteaux and meet, quite literally, in the middle of the car park. It’s a scene that captures the estate’s singular character—rooted in tradition, rich in neighbourly nuance, and unlike anything else in Bordeaux.

 

Léoville Poyferré enjoys a position among Bordeaux’s most privileged terroirs. Its vines—some facing Léoville Las Cases, others brushing shoulders with Latour and Pichon-Longueville—lie in what Bettane & Desseauve rightly call “the heart of the Médoc’s best land.” Since acquiring the property in 1920, the Cuvelier family has stewarded the estate with both reverence and reinvention. Under Didier Cuvelier’s leadership in the late 20th century, a modernisation of vineyard and cellar took place—from replanting to cutting-edge vinification—resulting in a dramatic rise in quality. Today, the estate is guided by his cousin, Sara Lecompte Cuvelier, who upholds the family’s values while deepening their commitment to sustainable farming and climate-conscious viticulture.

 

Spanning 80 hectares of prime Saint-Julien terroir, the vineyards are a mosaic of gravel terraces, sandy-clay subsoils, and cooler clay-rich plots that allow each grape variety to shine. Cabernet Sauvignon provides structure and length, Merlot lends plushness and warmth, while smaller parcels of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc contribute complexity and lift. It’s the highest Merlot proportion of any of the Léovilles—one of many quiet distinctions that sets Poyferré apart. Precision defines every step of the winemaking process: hand harvesting, double sorting (including optical selection), parcel-by-parcel vinification, and long ageing in carefully selected French oak. Malolactic fermentation in barrel adds seamless texture and polish, while the final blend, crafted by winemaker Isabelle Davin and cellar master Didier Thomann, reflects both site and signature.

 

The result is unmistakable: Léoville Poyferré marries Saint-Julien’s classical frame with sensuous fruit, spice, and depth. A wine of power and poise, it rewards patience but speaks clearly from the glass even in youth. We’re honoured to represent Léoville Poyferré’s second wine, Pavillon de Léoville Poyferré, in Australia—a name with centuries of story, and a future still unfolding.

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