2023 La Conseillante

Reminding me of the 2019 with its overall harmony and elegance, the 2023 Château La Conseillante reveals classic Conseillante darker blue fruits, spring flowers, violets, and iris petals on the nose. This cuvée is always about finesse and elegance, and the 2023 has it in spades, with medium to full-bodied richness, a seamless, layered mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. Based on 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc and aged 15 months in 70% new French oak with 27% one-wine barrels and 3% amphoras, this pure, seamless, ultra-classic Pomerol is already impossible to resist today yet should cruise for three decades. There are roughly 4,100 cases produced. Drink 2026-2055.

The 2023 La Conseillante is very clearly one of the standouts of the year. Plush contours wrap around a core of blueberry fruit as lavender, cloves, chocolate and licorice weave across the palate. The purity here is just remarkable, especially in the bouquet. Seamless in the glass, the 2023 impresses with its understated intensity and svelte personality. It is one of the most outstanding wines of the year. An archetype. In short, the 2023 is très Conseillante. If anything, I may be underestimating it. Tasted two times.

The 2023 La Conseillante had been bottled in May. This certainly benefitted from a few minutes' aeration, gaining clarity with blackberry, blueberry, dried, wilted flowers and touches of crushed stone, the 12% Cabernet Franc imparting light pepperiness. The palate is medium-bodied and perhaps demonstrates a little more backbone than out of barrel. Firm grip, a touch of chalkiness in texture toward the finish, with a very long finish. This delivers.