| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Fabulously situated alongside Cheval Blanc and L'Evangile, this property has a long track record of making outstanding wine that is never forced or over-extracted. Purchased by Louis Nicolas in 1871, it has remained in his family's ownership ever since. 11.8 hectares planted 83% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc. Always consistent and reliable, quality has been further improved in recent years by the production of a second wine - Duo de la Conseillante.
The 2019 La Conseillante is performing brilliantly and rivals the 2016 as Marielle Cazaux's finest vintage at this leading Pomerol estate to date. Wafting from the glass with striking aromas of raspberries, plums, violets, raw cocoa, sweet soil tones and licorice, framed by a deftly integrated touch of classy new oak, it's full-bodied, ample and enveloping, its broad attack segueing into a seamless, layered mid-palate that's vibrant and concentrated, framed by powdery tannins and lively acids, before concluding with a long, saline finish. Drink Date 2029 - 2065
An utterly brilliant Pomerol and the finest wine from this estate to date, surpassing even the 2016, the 2019 Château La Conseillante checks in as 84% Merlot and 16% Cabernet Franc and was raised in 70% new French oak. A wine of incredible finesse, purity, and precision, its deep purple hue is following by an incredible array of blueberries, crème de cassis, spring flowers, damp earth, and violets. Flawlessly balanced, full-bodied, and concentrated on the palate, it has a beautiful mid-palate, ultra-fine, utterly seamless tannins, and a heavenly finish. It doesn't have the sheer density or outright power of some of the other top Pomerols, but as I wrote in the barrel sample review, no one marries elegance with opulence as well as Conseillante. This magical Pomerol will take a decade to hit full maturity and will evolve for 30 years or more. This is haute couture at its absolute pinnacle, and as I wrote in the barrel review, hats off to Marielle Cazaux for producing one of the top wines of the vintage.
The 2019 La Conseillante was stellar from the sample sent to "Martin Towers" in spring 2020, and the news is that there is no change in bottle. Allowed to open while gossiping away with winemaker Marielle Cazaux (you have to catch up when you are unable to see people regularly), the 2019 unveils an awesome, extraordinarily pure bouquet that seduces the senses, featuring dark cherries, blueberry, pressed violet and a touch of blood orange, all displaying wonderful delineation. The palate is medium-bodied and cohesive, with fine-grained tannins and a judicious touch of black pepper toward the finish, which fans out gloriously while maintaining a sense of class. The best La Conseillante since the 2010? No - better. 2026 - 2060
The transparency and vibrancy here is impressive. From the very start it’s so aromatic, showing crushed-berry, dark-chocolate, coffee and cedar character. Full-bodied, yet tight and wonderfully tailored, with tannins that are fine-textured, but intense and so long, giving this wine great length. A joy to taste, but needs many years to soften and come together. Wonderful development here. Try after 2028.
Made from 84% Merlot and 16% Cabernet Franc, the 2019 La Conseillante is deep garnet-purple in color. It hits the ground running with notes of violets, chocolate-covered cherries, and wild blueberries, leading to hints of crushed rocks, pencil shavings, and dried roses. The full-bodied palate is elegantly crafted, multilayered, and refreshing, featuring bright, energetic fruit and a long minerally finish.
Majoring on Cabernet Franc character at this point, clear spice notes with rosebud, fragrant raspberry leaf, the most gorgeously powerful aromatics. On the palate you get cassis, bilberry, liquorice, dark chocolate shavings, balanced yet concentrated. Love this wine, and it is a brilliant example of the vintage. Harvest September 17 to October 9 (picking just a day at a time as needed, spread out over three weeks). Bottled mid June. 70% new oak, 30% amphoras. 34hl/h yield.
Tasted blind. Heady and opulent on the nose. Lots to consider here. Masses of tannin but the potential for interesting fruit development. Though the finish is currently drying and a bit austere. 14.5%
Drink 2028– 2044
The 2019 is talented winemaker Marielle Cazaux's 5th vintage at La Conseillante. The blend is 84% Merlot and 16% Cabernet Franc, which will be aged in 70% new French oak, 27% one year old oak, and 3% in amphora with an abv of 14.5%. The canopy was not thinned of leaves this year in order to protect the fruit from the sun. The yield is 34.5hl/ha, which is close to average. Marielle believes the wine has the vibrant fruit of 2016 with the texture of their 2018. Deep purple in colour, with an evocative nose of cassis, violets and perfumed plums - there are hints of vanilla and cedar too. A very enticing aroma. The palate bursts forward with violets, blueberry and ripe cherry. This is succulent, with perfectly judged oak adding a hint of vanilla as well as more savoury cedar. The tannins build through the mid-palate, coating the mouth and adding real depth and structure. This is a dark, brooding monster of a La Conseillante but beautifully somooth and polished tannins. This wine is destined for long-term ageing, but the fruit and structure are perfectly interlaced suggesting a long and open drinking window. Long, driven and fine on the finish. This reminds us of the power of 2010 with the refinement of the 2016. A sensationally good Pomerol. Tasted at the Chateau and in London.
84% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc; 70% new oak, 3% amphora. Yield 34 hl/ha. Barrel sample.
Deep purple-crimson hue. Plenty of depth and intensity on the nose with morello cherry and floral (violet) notes. Palate hits a perfect pitch of ripeness, the fruit ripe but juicy and refreshing. Solid but refined tannins provide a firmness and persistence on the finish. Offers gravity and charm combined. (JL) 14.5%
Drink 2027 – 2042
The 2019 La Conseillante was picked 17-20 September for the Merlot and 30 September and 7 October for the Cabernet Franc. Yields were low at just 34hl/ha. The Grand Vin is aged in 70% new French oak, 27% one-year old barrels and 3% in clay amphora. Limpid purple in colour, this has an exquisite bouquet with pixelated blackberry and raspberry scents, laced with pressed iris and a touch of graphite. It reminds me of a less powerful version of the 2010 when I tasted that from barrel. The palate is very smooth with ebullient red and black fruit on the entry, then it tapers in a little, towards a very cohesive, satin-textured middle. This is definitely one of the purest La Conseillante wines that I have encountered from barrel. It delivers a subtle spiciness towards the finish with hints of tobacco and clove on the persistent aftertaste. Winemaker Marielle Cazaux and her team have conjured a magnificent Pomerol here. 2026 - 2060
A very fine, ethereal wine, offering blueberries, white truffles and violets. Full body and a wonderful texture with tannins that spread across the palate, caressing the mouth. Really polished to the finest grain. Extremely long. Shows strength with finesse.
The 2019 La Conseillante is composed of 84% Merlot and 16% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple colored, it wafts out of the glass with compelling scents of violets, dark chocolate, eucalyptus, and rose oil over a core of plum preserves, ripe blueberries, and cinnamon stick. Full-bodied, the palate shimmers with energized black and red berry layers, framed by exquisitely ripe, fine-grained tannins and exhilarating tension, leading to a very long and achingly fragrant finish on this gorgeous wine.
The 2019 La Conseillante is a blend of 84% Merlot and 16% Cabernet Franc, harvested from the 17th of September to the 7th of October at yields of 34 hectoliters per hectare. It is being aged in 70% new French oak barrels, 27% second fill barrels and 3% amphora. The alcohol this year is 14.5% with a pH of 3.67. Very deep purple-black colored, it comes bounding out of the glass with all the energy of a new puppy, featuring notes of warm plums, wild blueberries and freshly crushed black cherries with hints of licorice, molten chocolate, violets, woodsmoke and tar plus a waft of lavender. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is laden with layer upon layer of black and blue fruits with loads of floral sparks and a very fine-grained, silt-like texture, finishing with incredible freshness and a provocative mineral edge. La Conseillante's signature perfume, purity and restrained power shine through with amazing clarity and style this vintage.
