Wine Spectator: 95 points

Pure cassis on the nose. Impressive. Full-bodied, thick and powerful, with loads of fruit and big, velvety tannins. Goes on for minutes on the palate. Huge wine. Very, very impressive. This is one of the big surprises of the vintage. Best after 2012. 19,165 cases made.

Review date: March 2006

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: 91 points

(a blend of 70% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot and 5% petit verdot) Bright medium ruby. Brooding, superripe aromas of black cherry, minerals and chocolate, with a whiff of game. Dense and very ripe, with an explosion of chocolatey fruit in the mid-palate. Despite its sheer size, this is elegant and shapely claret in the making, and not at all deficient in acidity. Ultimately more suave than the 2002, thanks to its lusher texture. Finishes with big but ripe, mouthdusting tannins and superb breadth and persistence.

Review date: May 2004

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 96 points

The spectacular 2003 Leoville Poyferre exhibits a dense purple color with a touch of lightening at the edge as well as notes of creosote, barbecue smoke, jammy black currants, licorice and spice box. This intense, voluptuously textured, full-bodied St.-Julien possesses low acidity and ripe tannin. Still fresh and exuberant, it is just entering its plateau of full maturity where it should remain for 10-15+ years.

Review date: August 2014