2012 La Conseillante, Pomerol (375ml)

“Another classic wine from this fabulous estate is the 2012 La Conseillante, which I believe was the first wine made in their newly constructed winery. A blend of roughly 89% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc brought up in 70% new barrels, it offers an awesome bouquet of blueberry and smoky black cherry fruit intermixed with loads of Asian spices, melted asphalt, truffle, and licorice. This full-bodied, opulent, incredibly sexy Pomerol stays light and elegant, with silky tannin and sensational purity of fruit. Anyone who owns bottles should count themselves lucky, and those who don’t should buy some as soon as possible. It can be drunk today or cellared for two decades.” (02/2018)

“The 2012 La Conseillante exhibits a dark ruby/purple color as well as a beautiful, up-front, projected fragrance that includes mulberry and raspberry jam, licorice, lavender and underbrush. Rich and medium-bodied, this attractive effort possesses the estate’s hallmark elegance, finesse and sweet, velvety tannins. (RP)” (04/2013)

“Medium-deep purple-ruby. Pungent minerality lifts subtle, very pure aromas of red fruits, violet, wet stone, ink and cinnamon. Dense, vibrant, sharply delineated flavors of blackcurrant, raspberry, sweet spices and cocoa powder make for a memorable experience. Subtle violet and flint notes lift and extend the very long, minerally, suavely tannic finish. There's insidious sweetness and purity to this almost Burgundian Pomerol; all the elements are in place to make for a remarkable La Conseillante. In my notebook, this is one of the top half-dozen wines of the vintage.” (05/2013)

“This is really intense from the start to finish. This is a gorgeous wine. Full body, with very integrated tannins and a beautiful finish. Iron, chocolate, hazelnut and red fruits. Very, very polished.” (04/2013)

“On the robust side of Pomerol for now, with ganache and tar notes underscoring the core of dark plum, linzer torte, blackberry and black currant fruit.” (01/2015)

“A pretty, open-knit wine, the 2012 La Conseillante is quite expressive today. Dark cherry, plum, smoke, new leather, cedar and cloves flesh out in the glass. Supple, racy and inviting, the 2012 is an attractive, mid-weight Conseillante built on harmony and textural finesse. There is plenty to like, although I would have liked to see a bit more depth through the mid-palate and follow through to the finish. The 2012 is 89% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc, which is to say more Merlot and less Franc than is the norm, aged in 70% new oak. Winemaker Jean-Michel Laporte, who has since been replaced by Marielle Cazaux (formerly at Petit-Village) characterized 2012 as a year with high disease pressure and alternating periods of sunshine and rain that made finding the right time to work in the vineyards a challenge. The 2012s came in around 14% alcohol, whereas alcohols were closer to 13.5% in 2014. (AG)” (01/2016)

“Sweet new-wood aromas give way to an attractive, spicy wine. With such soft tannins and lush red-berry fruits, it's a wine that will develop fast. (RV)” (04/2013)