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See Decanter's expert rating, tasting notes and drinking window for Château La Conseillante 2010.
Château La Conseillante 2010
Decanter average score: Outstanding
Individual judges’ scores: Stephen Brook 18.5 James Lawther MW 18.5 Steven Spurrier 18.5
Adjoining Cheval Blanc, La Conseillante has a similar diversity of soils and subtlety of style. It has been owned for 140 years by the Nicolas family of Libourne. The winemaker since 2004 has been Jean-Michel Laporte, who has maintained, and even amplified, the already considerable reputation of this 12-hectare estate. One fifth of the domaine is planted with Cabernet Franc, though Laporte would like to increase it. The winemaking is classic, and now facilitated by a new cellar, opened in 2012, equipped with concrete vats. The wine has enough heft to support ageing in entirely new oak in top years, though Laporte will diminish the proportion in lesser years. For many, this is quintessential Pomerol, especially with age.
Stephen Brook: Rich, suave, opulent and chocolatey, with lovely texture and fine depth of fruit. Very concentrated yet not extracted, with a lively, peppery finish. Admirable length and finesse. Modern but well judged.
James Lawther MW: Opulent fruit. Suave and smooth on the palate. Polished tannins. Rich and luxurious. Loads of fruit extract. Well defined.
Steven Spurrier: Finely concentrated, irony nose; already lots of depth and character and good, earthy fruit. Natural richness on the palate, with acidity blended in and tannins there to back it up for a very good future.
Price: £158-£233 Widely available via leading Bordeaux merchants, $190 Hart Davis Hart
Drink: 2015–2030
Alc: 14%
