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, Saint-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, Saint-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, Saint-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, Saint-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, Saint-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, Saint-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, Saint-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, Saint-Julien

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

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• 1982 Château Léoville Barton

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-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, Saint-Julien

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

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• 1995 Château Léoville Barton

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

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

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• 1996 Château Léoville Poyferré

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-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, Saint-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)