1942 Château Léoville Poyferré

Community Tasting Notes (2) Avg Score: 93.5 points

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  2/25/2024 - englishman's claret wrote: 92 Points

  I was once surprised by the 1922 Léoville Poyferré which was showing so well for an unheralded vintage at a great age. The 1942 is no different; perhaps this doesn't have the depth, drama, or complexity of great vintages of the era (the 1945 is very different, indeed), but this is incontestably lovely. Full of soft, fragrant, juicy red fruit, the glass practically empties itself. There's a little volatility which really doesn't do anything other than freshen it a bit and some cedary, old leathery notes which frame the fruit. It amazes me that such a lovely glass of wine originated from a time of such duress under the occupation - what resources did the Bordelais have to handle a difficult vintage in the midst of the war? Yet, the results speak for themselves.

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  1/23/2024 - PDavisMarble wrote: 95 Points

  After a glorious evening of L-P's, all directly from the chateau and in pristine condition, we were treated to the '42 from a friend. The condition was excellent, the fill strong and the cork in nice condition. This was remarkable. How the vigneron was able to make such a beautiful wine in the middle of the war is a marvel, and perhaps more miraculously, how it came down to us in such great shape. The color was akin to a "clairet" though more crimson. There was some bricking, but not a profound brun -- and this hinted at the remarkable freshness of the wine - currants and some raspberry, a hint of gooseberry and cloudberry. Some tobacco and cedar, and moist leaves. The finish was long and the delicacy made this feel almost weightless. Thank you Marc!

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