2023 Chateau La Conseillante - Pomerol AC

Decanter.com – 98 pts – GH: *A clear stand out in 2023. Dark chocolate, bitter toast, blackcurrant, deep, dark and rich tones on the nose. This has both a vibrancy and a richness, a sense of Pomerol opulence, and a coolness on the nose. Supple and energetic, this has movement and weight, juicy with a touch of creaminess. Smooth and sophisticated but still with a hit of acidity on the back palate that lifts and raises the expression the whole way through. Great stuff, sleek, mineral - very saline with licks of wet stone, graphite and liquorice giving slightly bitter edges, but I love the construction. Serious but also fun. Sleek, not rich and fleshy at all, but there’s a thick silkiness to it, nothing harsh, nothing austere or too tart. Really excellent, sweet strawberry, crunchy cranberry and powdery strawberry - lots of brightness and powderiness so you get texture and tension. Another stellar wine from La Conseillante. Buzzy and tangy, maintaining flavour and focus also with great drinkability on offer. A vintage to age. 7.5% press wine.* - 04/2024

Falstaff Magazin – 95 pts – PM: *Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Schwarze Waldbeeren, Brombeeren, zarte Edelholzwürze, tabakige Würze, zart nach Lakritze und kandierten Veilchen. Saftig, elegant, Kirschen, gute Frische, reife, integrierte Tannine, ein Hauch von dunklem Nugat, harmonisch und lange anhaftend, mineralischer Nachhall, gute Länge, sicheres Potenzial, sehr typischer Appellationscharakter.* - 05/2024

Vinum Magazin – 99/100 pts: *Klar und rein wie immer, das ist pure Eleganz, sensationeller Duft, floral, dunkelfruchtig, da ist dieser Gänsehautduft, der einen nicht loslassen will; gradlinig und kompakt am Gaumen, wie aus dem Stein gemeisselte Tannine, knackig, energiegeladen und mit hervorragender Länge. Ein klassischer Conseillante, der hervorragend reifen wird.* - 12/2023

WeinWisser – 19+/20 pts – GL, TW: *88 % Merlot, 12 % Cabernet Franc, 43 hl/ha, pH 3.68, 14 Vol.-%. Verführerisches rot- und blaubeeriges Parfüm, frische Alpenheidelbeere, bezaubernder Veilchen- und Iris-Duft und edle Cassiswürze. Im zweiten Ansatz Blutorangenzeste, zarte Honignote und Johannisbeernektar. Am vielschichtigen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, energiegeladener Rasse, engmaschigem Tanninkorsett und perfekt geformtem Köper, sehr tiefgründig und präzise. Im konzentrierten, nicht enden wollenden Finale blaue Beeren, Grethers Pastillen und erhabene Adstringenz. Fast so gut wie vergangenes Jahr – Bravo Marielle Cazeaux!* – 04/2024

Vinous.com – (95-97) pts – AG: *The 2023 La Conseillante is shaping up to be a jewel of a wine. Medium in body and silky, with exceptional balance, the 2023 impresses from start to finish. Crushed flowers, lavender, spice, mocha and tobacco are some of the many nuances that emerge over time. More than anything else, the 2023 impresses with its balance and total class. It's a wine that marries the elegance of La Conseillante with a bit more mid-palate resonance and sustain through the finish than some recent vintages. Yields were 43 hectoliters per hectare. Élevage consists of 70% new oak, 27% used barrels and 3% amphora. Tasted two times.* - 04/2024

Vinous.com – (96-98) pts – NM: *The 2023 La Conseillante was picked from September 7, with the final Cabernet Franc brought in on October 2 at 43hL/ha. There were just six days of picking over 3.5 weeks. Matured in 70% new oak, it has a very well-defined bouquet with black cherries, wild strawberries, touches of violet and a hint of crushed stone. The palate is medium-bodied with a captivating, edgy opening. Just slightly granular in texture thanks to the tannin structure, it’s very harmonious and poised, with a sophisticated, mineral-driven finish. This is an exceptional La Conseillante from Marielle Cazaux and her team. It will rank alongside the 2022 even if it is very different stylistically.* - 04/2024

Thewinecellarinsider.com – (97-99) pts – JL: *Violets, black raspberries, spice, chocolate, truffle, and black cherries begin the perfume. The palate is where the wine shines, with its vibrant display of black with red fruits. The striking purity, elegance, and textures, silky tannins, and length leave quite an impression. The adage, "Patience is a virtue" is the key the success this year, as they needed to wait for the desired level of phenolic maturity. The wine blends 88% Merlot with 12% Cabernet Franc. 7.5% press wine. 14% ABV, 3.68 pH. The harvest took place September 7 - October 2. Drink from 2029-2060.* - 05/2024