No surprise here: Michel Rolland delivers again! No doubt Second Growth Poyferré is truly one of the Saint-Julien greats. And today you can get a taste of that.

Pavillon, happens to be their second wine.

Alas, let us not stop you if you’d rather seek the flagship. It’s amazing. But know that the 100-pointer will cost 3-4 times more. Dunnuck calls it “a total thrill that tops out my scale…”

OR…here’s another idea.

Get this one - an arguably rarer sight, at about 60% off today. Drink this while you wait for the big one to mature, which Jeb recommends drinking 2028 thru 2078(!). Meanwhile the Pavillon “another beautiful second wine that offers Grand Vin-like richness and purity as well as structure” is open for business from the get-go.

The most recent deep dive by Wine Advocate explains the wizardry behind the scenes: “With some 80 hectares under vine, Léoville Poyferré’s parcels are inter-fingered with those belonging to the Delon and Barton families by the river and on the plateau of Saint-Julien… Winemaking features a 5-8 day cold soak, followed by comparatively long macerations, and maturation is in 80% new oak, with lots destined for new barrels completing their malolactic fermentation in barrel… this delivers the richest, fleshiest, most flamboyant of the three Léoville estates, but while it’s generally the most open out of the gates of the three, that hasn’t come at the expense of longevity.”

“As you might expect from these methods” adds Wine Spectator, “the wine is typically dark in color, with thickly layered fruit backed by broad waves of smoke and charcoal.” What we can add to that are gobs of blackberries, and an intriguing minerality, a serious, seriously long, and complex finish, while maintaining the ‘don’t think, just drink’ deliciousness with silky, gracious tannins, and oak spices.

Oh, and it’s one of the few Kosher-certified classified growths of Bordeaux, if that matters.

What’s also ‘kosher’ is grabbing this under $50 gem by the case while it’s here.

94 Points – James Suckling

“Complex, harmonious nose with notes of plums, blackberries and currants, as well as spices and wood aromas. Full-bodied and balanced, showing an elegant combination of velvety, yet fine tannins. Long, flavorful finish. Try after 2024.”

92+ Points – Jeb Dunnuck

“The second wine from this terrific estate is the 2018 Pavillon de Léoville Poyferré, a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend that includes 25% Merlot and a tiny amount of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Lots of pure cassis and leafy tobacco notes define the bouquet, and it’s full-bodied, with a round, expansive mid-palate, velvety tannins, and just a beautiful mix of opulence and elegance. Crème de cassis, graphite, tobacco, leaf, and forest floor notes all emerge from this beautiful, medium to full-bodied, ripe, sexy second wine that delivers the goods. It’s already hard to resist yet should show more complexity with 2-4 years of bottle age and will keep for 10-15 years with no issues. Drink 2021-2036.”