Château La Conseillante 2010

In the forest of many well-made yet ultimately often interchangeable wines, La Conseillante plays Little Red Riding Hood and captivates with distinctive elegance, finesse, and aromatic complexity. Not even the—certainly noticeable—alcohol bothers us anymore: delightful.

A brilliant effort from this property, known for the sheer elegance and finesse of its wines, the 2010 La Conseillante offers back-to-back monumental efforts, particularly given the remarkable 2009. This estate has been on a hot streak of late. The 2010 is a slightly bigger, richer wine, but without losing its floral, elegant mulberry, black raspberry and sweet kirsch notes. Combine those with some licorice, subtle new oak and a hint of forest floor, and the result is a medium to full-bodied, rich, complex wine that has striking aromatics and perfect balance in the mouth. Forget it for 3-5 years and drink it over the following 30.

A little darker and deeper in colour than the 2009 at this stage, but both remain young, fresh and full of promise. The depth to the fruit is evident, black cherry, chocolate shavings and black truffles with great shots of acidity through the entire body of the wine. Just dripping with succulent fruit and seduction, this is the most Pomerol of the lineup, surprisingly, perhaps, taking that crown from the 2009. Still young even at 11 years old, will settle in and open further over the next few years. Violet aromatics curl out of the glass as it opens. 85% new oak. A yield of 39hl/ha.

Beautiful nose with cocoa powder, exotic flowers, candied violets and loads of dark berries. Great aromatic complexity. Amazing texture on the palate with superb precision and silky tannins. So beautifully composed, already showing great harmony. Difficult to wait! Better in 2018.

Just about to enter its prime drinking window, the wine balances its sensuality with its vibrant core of ripe, sweet plums, chocolate and truffles, with a floral edge. The combination of finesse and silkiness on the palate hits all the right notes. Drink 2022–2040.

Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, delicate bright rim. Underlaid with fine oak aromas, black wild berry, attractive fruit, fine herbal savouriness. Complex, ripe soft cherry fruit, vivid well-integrated tannins, pronounced fruit and persistent, very good length, it has certain ageing potential, elegant and silky.

I can’t recall ever seeing such a dark color on a La Conseillante en primeur. Purple with lilac highlights. Blueberries, bramble, smoke, tobacco and a hint of eucalyptus. Firm palate with flesh and muscle, licorice, dried blueberries, absolutely profound, a full package with incredible finesse – brilliant!

I can’t remember seeing such a dark color on a La Conseillante en primeur. Violet with purple highlights. Blueberries, bramble, smoke, tobacco, and a hint of eucalyptus. Firm palate with flesh and muscle, licorice, dried blueberries, absolutely profound, a full package with incredible finesse. Although I have often felt I was being harsh on this Domaine during barrel tastings, this year I must admit I’ve never found it so brilliant. Tasted three times. A sincere bravo to the La Conseillante team with Michel Laporte leading the way! (19/20). 12: Deep purple with violet highlights. Intoxicating bouquet showing magnificent Merlot, plenty of cassis and blueberries, refreshing floral scents and a touch of mint, complemented by dark pralines. On the palate, ultra-fine and intoxicatingly elegant, all the tannins are silky and the wine already feels almost milky, with a superb, majestic length. A legendary La Conseillante. Finally, once again unquestionably convincing and at top Pomerol level. Already tasted a week ago at the estate with the same impression.

Dense, velvety, opulent, complex bouquet of plum, black berries, black cassis, mocha, dark chocolate, mint. Tobacco. Dense, multilayered, powerful yet elegant, sweet-tinged palate with compressed fruit, plenty of fine tannins, opulent and varied aromatics, a very long, elegant, full, spicy finish with pronounced retro aromas. Can improve further. 19/20 2017 - 2040

With a black hue, the nose is attractively spicy with very typical violet notes. The palate is dense, compact, tight, fairly tannic, with a lovely finish between leather and spices. The whole is superb and on par with 2009, but in a slightly different style—more slender and built for long aging—with a likely closed phase lasting several years. You have to go back fifty years to find achievements as impressive as 2009 and 2010.

Subtle, complex bouquet with floral, fruity, and spicy notes. A touch of cocoa beans and tobacco leaves. An intensely fruity attack. So much power and balance, with fine-grained tannins that reveal themselves on the finish. They are in perfect harmony with the structure. Persistent, intense finish.

Logo on the cork: inverted T (Trescases) Dark, intense colour with slight evolution. Very aromatic nose, with ripe, fresh, creamy fruit. A touch of orange peel. Broad on the attack, fairly opulent mid-palate and very round; the wine melts on the palate, meticulous, subtle, complex, flavorful, with fine tannins. Very beautiful finish with generous room for aroma—one of the markers of this cru’s identity.

Features substantial but very velvety structure running from start to finish, delivering a muscular feel for now. The hard edges are fully absorbed by the core of plum sauce, steeped blackberry and warm boysenberry reduction notes. The finish offers gorgeous tobacco and ganache accents lurking in the wings, along with flickers of anise and incense that should guide this version to increased elegance with age. Best from 2016 through 2034. 4,000 cases made, 800 cases imported.

Excellent quality, with rich deep plum flavours, spicy, intense, full of character; notes of incense, grilled plum and rosemary. Highly charged yet with supple tannins, and an edge of sweet red liquorice and creamy caramel. Tasted ex-retail, not ex-château.

93-95 The tannins are huge, very dense, packing through the ripe fruit. At first it tastes like a mouthful of wood and fruit tannins, then the potential of the fruit becomes apparent. That gives a wine with a great, final acidity and finish.