CHÂTEAU LA CONSEILLANTE
BORDEAUX, FRANCE 2020
Why Buy: Château La Conseillante has achieved something extraordinary with their 2020 Pomerol – a perfect 100-pointer that The Wine Advocate declared “one of the wines of the vintage” and "the finest” expression that Marielle Cazaux has bottled to date. And folks, this beauty of power and refinement is coming to you direct from the château's cellars, ensuring perfect provenance. If you don’t yet own this, this is a must-buy for a serious collector, one of the most rewarding and memorable wines of the past five years.
What They're Saying: "One of the wines of the vintage," William Kelley wrote, in his 100-point paean in The Wine Advocate, before describing "a beautifully elegant, sensual wine with a deep core of fruit framed by powdery tannins, concluding with a long, extravagantly floral finish." He went on to celebrate its "striking purity and sophistication," noting that La Conseillante has become "Pomerol's most elegant – and dare I say it, Burgundian – wine."
Our Tasting Notes: From the moment you bring the glass to your nose, you know you're in the presence of something profound. The perfume unfolds in waves – violets and black fruits at first, then deeper notes that suggest both earth and air. But it's on the palate that this wine truly dazzles, weaving power and finesse into silken grace. The fruit is profound but never heavy, the structure apparent but never intrusive, and the finish seems to go on forever, changing like light through stained glass. Poetry in the glass.
The Story: Marielle Cazaux's "haute-couture" approach to winemaking translates to an almost obsessive attention to detail throughout a long, complex process. Each of the 16 distinct plots is treated individually, with multiple harvest passes ensuring optimal ripeness. The 2012 vat room upgrade, featuring 22 concrete vats of varying sizes, allows for precise plot-by-plot vinification, capturing the nuanced expressions of each parcel. Yet Cazaux's approach isn't about technological intervention. Her maxim, "A great winegrower is a lazy winemaker," underscores the estate’s commitment to minimal cellar intervention. After hand-sorting and destemming, the process is actually remarkably rather traditional, with a focus on gentle extraction and natural expression.
What to Pair It With: This elegant Pomerol pairs beautifully with roasted lamb, beef tenderloin, or duck confit. For a vegetarian option that complements the wine's ethereality, try a wild mushroom risotto or a truffle-flecked scalloped potatoes.
Fun Fact: La Conseillante's distinctive purple capsule, introduced in the 1870s by the Nicolas family, was inspired by the natural tone of the wine's beloved violet aromas.
Our Guarantee: These bottles come directly from the château's cellars, ensuring absolutely perfect provenance. Secure yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Spring 2025. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NE, NY, OK, or TN. This offer is valid for TWO WEEKS, or until sold out, and will expire on Sunday, February 16th, 2025.