Château La Conseillante 2016
Robert Parker: 97-99/100
James Suckling: 98-99/100
Le Château La Conseillante
Le Château La Conseillante s’étend sur 12 hectares de l’appellation Pomerol.
C’est sur ce fameux terroir argilo-graveleux sur crasses de fer que s’épanouissent les cépages de merlot et cabernet franc.Ces derniers font l’objet d’une viticulture traditionnelle extrêmement exigeante. La famille Nicolas, qui gère le domaine depuis 1871, œuvre au rayonnement de ces vins complexes et d’une grande finesse.
Le vignoble du Château La Conseillante s’étend sur 12 hectares de Pomerol. Le domaine fait partie des propriétés emblématiques de l’appellation. Le merlot (80%) s'épanouit sur un sol d’argile qui assure la rondeur et la douceur des vins. Le cabernet franc (20%), lui, bénéficie d'un sol de graves qui réchauffe chaque millésime. Ces deux cépages partagent le même sous-sol composé de crasses de fer, qui apporte de la structure au vin.
Les Grands donnent leurs avis
Decanter.com
97 / 100
The aromatics leap out of the glass, utterly luscious and on a tightrope between power and elegance, displaying notes of rosemary, spice and rich liquorice alongside bursts of minerality. It stretches out through the tight palate, becoming juicy on the finish, This is one of the best of the tasting, so fine is its tannic structure - you almost overlook them at first, but the tannins slowly build. It's just as gorgeous as during en primeur, but with an extra kick. It will clearly age well. 70% new oak. They follow biodynamic practices in the vineyard. Michel Rolland consults.
Drinking Window 2024 - 2045
Bettane & Desseauve
97-98 / 100
Grande élégance et richesse de texture, allonge veloutée, profondeur raffinée, le plus grand la conseillante du XXIe siècle.
Wine Advocate
96-98 / 100
The 2016 La Conseillante is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc picked from 22 September to 13 October and 12-17 October at 39.5 hectoliters per hectare. Winemaker Marielle Cazaux told me that there is 13.8% alcohol, nearly one degree less than in 2015, with a pH of 3.65 and it is matured in 70% new oak. This has a succinct bouquet that is stylistically not that far removed from its neighbor Vieux Château Certan: detailed and understated at first with scents of blackberry, wild hedgerow and a touch of pressed flowers. The palate is very well balanced with a fine backbone, but what really marks out this La Conseillante is the salinity that comes through on the second half. It exerts a gentle grip in the mouth, reveals a little spiciness towards the finish whereupon it gently fans out, leaving a touch of black pepper on the saline aftertaste. This is a classic La Conseillante and the best since the majestic 2010. Similar to that vintage, it will require several years in bottle, but it will be well worth the wait.
Jean-Marc QUARIN
19 / 20
Le meilleur jamais fait ! Couleur sombre, intense, belle et vive. Superbe nez, très aromatique, au fruité pur, subtil, avec une touche de liqueur de framboise. Délicieux dés la première seconde, le vin se développe particulièrement suave et se met à fondre avec beaucoup, beaucoup de goût. Charnu, il s’envole à partir du milieu de bouche sur un moelleux exquis qui caractérise le lieu. Il s’achève sur une grande finale particulièrement hédoniste où se mélangent la suavité des formes et l’éclat des parfums. Un vin différent. Assemblage : 80 % merlot, 20 % cabernet franc - Degré d’alcool : 13°8 (moyenne du cru) – pH : 3,6 (moyenne) – IPT inconnu. Rendement : 40 hl/ha – Sélection : 80 % de premier vin
The Wine Cellar Insider
98-100 / 100
Dark in color, the wine pops with scents of blackberry liqueur, violets, spice box, truffle, licorice, smoke and plums. On the palate, the wine has a richness and density seldom found here, but don’t let that scare you because, as you would expect, the wine is fresh, elegant and refined. Nothing is different; there is simply more raw material. The fruit is perfect, the tannins are ripe and the liqueur and licorice remain with you for close to 50 seconds. The wine was made from a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Starting with the young vines, the Merlot was harvested from September 21 to October 13, representing the longest harvest in the history of the estate. The Cabernet Franc was picked on two dates, October 12 and October 17. The wine reached 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.65 and will be aged in 70% new French oak barrels.
Vinous
95-98 / 100
The 2016 La Conseillante is one of the undisputed stars of the vintage. Dark, rich and voluptuous, with no hard edges and exceptional balance, the 2016 has been simply extraordinary on the two occasions I have tasted it so far. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, lavender and spice notes flesh out in the glass, but it is the wine's textural feel and overall balance that stand out most. The 2016 is plush, deep and textured, yet retains the super-classic midweight feel that is such a Conseillante signature.
Decanter.com
96 / 100
This is a big wine, from the colour to the stunning level of fruit and tannin extraction that is not overdone, but is certainly evident. Gorgeous violets and blackberries run through the palate and slightly chewy tannins are extremely well-integrated with the oak. At first you think this carries on the slightly more swaggering style of La Conseillante seen in recent years, with black fleshed fruits and high drama, but as it unfurls in the glass you reclaim also the more floral, vibrant and elegant touches that suggest the heart of this property is unchanged. A touch austere, but that's what you want for long ageing. There is around one degree less alcohol than in 2015, even though they finished picking later. For me, this is a more classic La Conseillante than 2015. The aromatics are just so striking. This is the second year of using biodynamic preparations across the whole vineyard. Michel Rolland consults. 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc aged in 70% new oak. Drinking Window 2027 - 2050
Jancis Robinson
17 / 20
Picked 28 September to 17 October. Not as aromatic as some of the very top Pomerols. Lovely texture but not as expressive as some. A hint of soapiness. Lots of texture buried under the substance here but needs time for the flavour to develop. Lots to chew on.17+
Le Figaro
19,5 / 20
Une exception dans le monde Pomerol. Aérien, juteux, croquant, aristocrate.
Wine Enthusiast
95-97 / 100
Barrel Sample. This rich, structured wine has ripe tannins and sumptuous black fruit. There is a touch of bitterness from extraction, resulting in dark chocolate flavors. It's powerful, at 14% alcohol by volume, without being excessive.
Wine Spectator
93-96 / 100
Bright raspberry and blackberry confiture flavors fill out nicely as they move along, followed by a well-buried graphite edge and a flash of cocoa at the very end. Has a vivid display of fruit and the buried spine to back it up.—J.M
Jamessuckling.com
99-100 / 100
This is the greatest Conseillante in modern times. Full body and incredible tannins that are polished and velvety. The texture lasts for minutes. I am speechless. What a young and awe-inspiring wine!
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