Leoville Barton vs. Leoville Poyferre

A very interesting night. Half of the attendees (myself included) said that prior to the event they would have predicted a preference for Barton overall, however the clear winner was Poyferre, a sentiment that was unanimous I believe. The Barton just seemed stiff next to the Poyferre, which was warmer and silkier, and all around fuller and better.

Dale thought that changing a few vintages might have helped give LB an edge.

• 1993 Château Léoville Poyferré

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  NIce nose with cedar. Dry with flat chunky wooden tannins and some black licorice.
  C

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• 1983 Château Léoville Poyferré

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  Dense with good broad complexity. Dark notes. Still a bit tannic with iron/mineral. Muscular but pretty.
  B

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• 1983 Château Léoville Barton

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  Bit dry and acidic. Stiff fruit. Some dark notes. Pretty long. From Magnum.
  B--

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• 1989 Château Léoville Poyferré

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  Deep full fruit. Complete. Some dark notes. Rich. Very nice. Small note of sweet candy.
  B+/A-

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• 1989 Château Léoville Barton

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  Dark with some tar. A bit stiff. Young? Under-fruited? Good but not up to the Poyferre.
  B+

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• 1990 Château Léoville Poyferré

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  Gorgeous. Rich, sweet but not overly. Silky, fantastic mouth feel. Beautiful wine. Drinking very well but will hold on for many years. Expansive.
  A/A+

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• 1990 Château Léoville Barton

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  Firm and dense. A solid wine with some acidic backbone. Not as smooth, developed or as good as the Poyferre.
  A-

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• 1982 Château Léoville Poyferré

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  Broad, smooth, rich, expansive. Drinking great. Complete. Wondeful.
  A

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• 1982 Château Léoville Barton

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  Firm, solid, some acid. Not completely resolved. A bit stiff. Drinking well but could still use some time. Some around the table thought it might be corked, but I didn't sense it.
  A-

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• 1995 Château Léoville Poyferré

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  Firm, slightly candied. Tiny tannins. Still a bit tight.
  B++

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• 1995 Château Léoville Barton

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  Firm and acidic. Lots of mineral. Stiff.
  B/B+

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• 1996 Château Léoville Poyferré

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  Tannic, tight. Some sweet fruit with acidic tannins. As I've found in the past, this seems like an awkward wine. Not sure where it's going.
  B

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• 1996 Château Léoville Barton

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  A bit tight. NIce full fruit, dense. Stiff but with nice packed fruit. Needs a few years. Will open beautifully. Lots of potential.
  A-

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Winners:
1983 LP (5 to 3)
1989 tie
1990 LP (8 to 1)
1982 LP (9 to 0)
1995 LP (8 to 1)
1996 LB (7 to 2)

WOTN: 1990 LP (5), 1982 LP (3), 1990 LB (1)