Conseillante - Pomerol 2017

Wine Advocate

97

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe3/17/2020

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 La Conseillante sashays out of the glass with the most gorgeous notes of lilacs, Black Forest cake, kirsch and black raspberries plus nuances of cinnamon stick, dark chocolate and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a firm, finely grained texture with bags of perfumed black fruits and wonderful freshness, finishing very long and very fragrant. Drinking Window : 2024 - 2053

Vinous

96

byAntonio Gallonithe3/11/2020

The 2017 La Conseillante is a regal wine. Lithe and statuesque in the glass, La Conseillante soars with real vertical intensity. Sweet floral aromatics and silky tannins give the 2017 much of its understated, classy personality. Inky dark blue/purplish fruit, spice, licorice and lavender develop with a bit of time, but it is the wine's balance and extreme sense of harmony that stand out most. Technical Director Marielle Cazaux gave the fruit about 2 days on the skins, with no SO2 at crush. Cazaux added that the malos were quite fast. The blend is 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. Frost reduced production by around 15%, while drought further reduced yields in the Franc by a further 10%. This is a fabulous showing.

Wine Spectator

95

byJames Molesworththe2/7/2020

A tobacco leaf accent pierces the large core of raspberry, plum and blackberry compote flavors, injecting energy as this moves along, pulling juniper, bramble and black tea notes through the finish. Shows lots of detail and energy on the finish. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2038. 3,299 cases made. — JM

Jamessuckling.com

95

byJames Sucklingthe1/13/2020

A young red with sweet fruit and very fine tannins, which have a creamy and almost salty sensation. Medium to full body. Blackberries, dark chocolate and bark. Some black tea, too. It shows an energy and tension. The creamy tannins give polish and beauty. Better after 2023.

Le Point

16-16,5

byJacques Dupontthe6/20/2018

Nez fruits noirs, réglisse, note anisée, bouche souple, moelleuse, assez tannique, joli fruit, finale serrée, fruits noirs, mûre, bonne longueur. Un vin assez tendu, plus tannique qu’autrefois mais sans dureté.

Jeb DUNNUCK

94-96

byJeb Dunnuckthe6/12/2018

One of the sure bets in the vintage is the 2017 La Conseillante, which sports a vibrant ruby color and a deep, concentrated, beautifully layered personality. Black cherries, currants, violets, Asian spice, and truffle all flow to a full-bodied 2017 that has terrific depth of fruit, ripe, sweet tannin, and a great finish. It's an undeniable success in the vintage, if not the wine of the vintage in Pomerol. The blend in 2017 is 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, from tiny yields of 34 hectoliters per hectare, aged in 70% new oak. Tasted twice.

Vinifera

96

byJacques Perrinthe5/28/2018

Nez très pur, avec des notes de pivoine magnifique sur fond de fruits noirs. Belle richesse de constitution. On a une bonne tension qui porte l’aromatique du vin et démontre une belle fusion du bois. Évolution sur une assise au tanin ciselé et finale sur la fraîcheur, avec de la vibration et une remarquable longueur.

Vinous

94-97

byAntonio Gallonithe5/15/2018

The 2017 La Conseillante is a wine of total finesse and class. Bright, floral and beautifully lifted, the 2017 is exceptionally polished and nuanced from start to finish. Despite its mid-weight, gracious personality, the 2017 has real staying power. Technical Director Marielle Cazaux gave the fruit about 2 days on the skins, with no SO2 at crush. Cazaux added that the malos were quite fast. The blend is 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. Frost reduced production by around 15%, while drought further reduced yields in the Franc by a further 10%. As for the wine, well, the 2017 was magnificent on each of the three occasions I tasted it.

The Wine Cellar Insider

95-97

byJeff Levethe5/11/2018

Sophisticated, sexy and fresh, the wine is lenient and silky. There is a strong violet sensation along with black cherry, boysenberry, truffle and dark chocolate. The wine is classic in style but in a virtuous way. There is depth and volume. On the palate, you'll experience sweet, bright, fresh, dusty, chocolate-covered plums. The harvest took place September 5 to September 9. The wine was made from blending 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, reaching 13.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.65.

Vinous

93-95

byNeal Martinthe5/1/2018

The 2017 La Conseillante contains a little less Cabernet Franc than usual because four or five rows were damaged by frost. It has a classic Pomerol bouquet with touches of truffle and incense infusing the broody black fruit that take a few minutes to unwind in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, well balanced with a subtle sprinkling of white pepper and fennel. The Cabernet Franc, despite its diminished contribution, is quite expressive towards the balsamic-tinged finish that shows plenty of energy and decent persistence. It is less powerful than the 2016 at this stage but it is clearly a very well crafted, almost sensual Pomerol by winemaker Marielle Cazaux. Tasted twice with consistent notes, this may well settle at the top of my banded score once in bottle.

Wine Advocate

95-97

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/27/2018

The 2017 La Conseillante displays a deep garnet-purple color and simply sings of crushed blueberries, mulberries and ripe plums with suggestions of violets, chocolate box, rose hip tea and a waft of menthol. The palate is medium-bodied with impressive richness at this elegant weight coupled with vivacity and supported by plush, velvety tannins, finishing with great length and energy. This is an arrestingly beautiful expression of this vintage!

WeinWisser

18

byRené Gabrielthe4/25/2018

Jean-Marc QUARIN

18,25

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/17/2018

Wine Enthusiast

95-97

byRoger Vossthe4/17/2018

This is a very rich wine, with opulent Merlot fruit and generous tannins. There is a spicy, perfumed character to the nose, speaking to the Cabernet Franc in the blend. Fine acidity pierces through the ripe black fruits. It will certainly age well and should be enjoyed after 2023.

Decanter.com

94

byJane Ansonthe4/9/2018

Jamessuckling.com

94-95

byJames Sucklingthe4/6/2018

Tight and precise with focused tannins and a lovely texture to this young wine. Medium to full body. Compressed and serious. Some salty and dark fruit at the end.