A top-value standout of Decanter's ten-year retrospective on the 2011 vintage.
Château Léoville Poyferré 2011
Château Léoville Poyferré 2011
When Decanter revisited the 2011 vintage ten years on, Léoville Poyferré stood out as one of the clear successes — scoring 95 points and earning a place among their top-value picks of the entire vintage. Jeb Dunnuck was equally taken, praising its depth of fruit in a year when many wines played it safe.
This is Saint-Julien doing what Saint-Julien does best: blackcurrant, plum and cedar in perfect proportion, a smooth, polished palate that's structured without being stern. Fourteen years of age have brought it squarely into its sweet spot — a ready-to-drink Bordeaux that needs nothing but half an hour in a decanter and good company. Ideal for impressing at a dinner party without the price of a trophy label.
Ratings: Decanter 95
At the table: Beef wellington, roast chicken with herbs, braised short ribs. Soft cheeses like Brie once the plates are cleared.
- Saint-Julien, Bordeaux · 2ème Grand Cru Classé, 1855
- Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon-led
- Fully mature — drinking at its peak through 2030
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Sommelier's Note
The 2011 Château Léoville Poyferré brings mature elegance to the bistro table, particularly alongside duck confit. Fourteen years have polished its tannins into something structured but never stern, letting it sit beside a delicate braise without overwhelming it. Decanter named it a top-value pick of the 2011 vintage.
Tasting Notes & Specs
Blackcurrant, plum and cedar in fine proportion. Structured but not stern, with polished tannins and a long finish. Fully mature.
Vintage2011
Classification2ème Grand Cru Classé, 1855
BodyMedium to full-bodied
TanninsPolished, Fine-Grained
Key AromasBlackcurrant, Plum, Cedar, and Dried Herbs
Blend & Terroir
Varietal BlendCabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc
TerroirGravel over clay in the heart of Saint-Julien.
Serving & Care
Serving TemperatureBest served slightly cool at 16°C–18°C (60°F–65°F)
DecantingDecant for 30 minutes; it opens beautifully.
Drinking WindowAt peak maturity now through 2030. Store horizontally in a dark, temperature-controlled environment.
Ideal Pairings
Beef wellington, Roast chicken with herbs, Braised short ribs, Brie, Camembert.
View food pairings →
About the Brand
The Estate: Château Léoville Poyferré is one of the three Léoville estates of Saint-Julien and the most modern-styled of the trio under the Cuvelier family. Its 2009 vintage earned Robert Parker's perfect 100 points.
Pairs with your table
Cheese & Charcuterie
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Aged Hard Cheeses
The 2011 Château Léoville Poyferré carries enough structure to meet the salt and fat of a cheese board without turning harsh. Polished, fully resolved tannins give it the grip to stand up to a hard, aged cheese, while its blackcurrant and cedar notes add a savoury layer of their own. Decanter's 95-point score reflects a wine built with real precision, and that precision shows in how cleanly it handles this kind of pairing. A refined way to close out the meal.
French Bistro
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Coq au Vin
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Duck Confit
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Beef Bourguignon
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Cassoulet
The 2011 Château Léoville Poyferré brings mature elegance to the bistro table, particularly alongside duck confit. Fourteen years have polished its tannins into something structured but never stern, letting it sit beside a delicate braise without overwhelming it. Its blackcurrant, plum and cedar notes echo the herbs and reduction typical of French bistro cooking, while its acidity keeps the palate lifted through a rich dish. Decanter named it a top-value pick of the 2011 vintage — proof that elegance doesn't always carry an elegant price tag.
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