2024 Chateau La Conseillante, Pomerol

A really refined Conseillante. Medium-bodied with very fine, high-quality tannins that run the length of the wine, giving a subtle drive and energy. You almost want to drink it now. Pretty is the word. 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc.

The 2024 La Conseillante is one of the wines of the vintage this year, wafting from the glass with aromas of raspberries and violets mingled with hints of pipe tobacco, vine smoke and spices. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with beautifully refined, integrated tannins, impressive intensity of flavor and a long, penetrating finish, this suave, sensual Pomerol represents the quintessential Conseillante. It's a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc that produced 22 hectoliters per hectare after extensive sorting.

The 2024 La Conseillante is shaping up to be one of the wines of the vintage. Vertical and explosive, with spectacular depth, the 2024 is an eye-opening wine, with regard to both the potential of the property and the vintage. In 2024, La Conseillante separates itself from the pack by a wide margin. It may ultimately not merit the very highest of scores, but it will almost certainly come close. Dark blue fruit, violet, spice, new leather, menthol and licorice stain the palate all the way through the creamy finish. Conseillante is a very serious wine. Technical Director Marielle Cazaux made all the right choices in a very challenging year in which yields were reduced by 50% in the field and then through strict selection in the cellar. Tasted two times.

Coming from minuscule yields of just 22 hectoliters per hectare, the 2024 Château La Conseillante is based on 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, aging in 70% new barrels. It offers a beautiful perfume of red, blue, and black fruits intertwined with spring flowers, violets, tobacco, and spicy wood. Medium to full-bodied, it has a seamless, pure, and remarkably layered mouthfeel, with outstanding length. This is a stunning achievement in 2024 and a wine readers will love to have in the cellar.

Dark cherry in colour, vivid, the fruits have beautiful clarity on the aromatics and the opening notes, and density through the palate. Velvety texture with lift, cocoa bean, espresso, damson, excellent quality. Michel Rolland consultant., 100% new oak, 85% of production in La Conseillante. One of the success stories in Pomerol. Harvest 20 September to 4 October, 30hl/ha when it came in from the vineyard, 22hl/h after density sorting. 3.57ph.

The 2024 La Conseillante was picked over six days at 22 hl/ha between September 20 and October 4. This has a clean and focused bouquet, with quite pure scents of blackberry, boysenberry and light blueberry. This is clearly without the flamboyance of a warming vintage, yet with ample freshness and delineation. The palate is medium-bodied and balanced, with slightly grainy yet fine tannins. This is a La Conseillante that wisely stays within its means. Quite strict on the finish, it's a nimble Pomerol that will drink earlier than say, the 2020, 2022 or 2023.