CHÂTEAU LA CONSEILLANTE

BORDEAUX, FRANCE

 

 

Why Buy: We’ve partnered with Château La Conseillante — that powerhouse of Pomerol — to bring you this breathtakingly great Bordeaux, featuring two 100-point wines (including a bottle The Wine Advocate declared "one of the wines of the vintage"), a 98-pointer, and a 96-pointer. Blessed by an illustrious terroir (Petrus and Cheval Blanc are neighbors), and thanks in part to a meticulously intricate plot-by-plot vinification (each of 16 parcels is treated individually, with multiple harvest passes), this legendary house has crafted some of the greatest wines of our time. These 4 only add to the legend. Don't miss this opportunity to secure them for your collection today.

 

The Pedigree: Year after year, La Conseillante delivers wines of extreme finesse, soft texture, and characteristic intense bouquet of violets and truffles. Nestled between illustrious neighbors like Petrus and Cheval Blanc, its unique terroir, a tapestry of clay and gravel soils, provides the foundation, while a fanatical attention to detail (including its commitment to plot-by-plot vinification) and their minimal intervention philosophy in the cellar guides the patient, laborious process of turning grapes into high art.

What They're Saying: Jeb Dunnuck hailed the 100-point 2019 vintage as "an utterly brilliant Pomerol" and "the finest wine from this estate to date," marveling at its flawless balance and "heavenly finish … No one marries elegance with opulence as well as Conseillante. ... Magical." The Wine Advocate declared the 100-point 2020 "one of the wines of the vintage," lauding its "striking purity and sophistication" and describing it as "a beautifully elegant, sensual wine with a deep core of fruit framed by powdery tannins, concluding with a long, extravagantly floral finish.” In its assessment of the 2018 vintage, The WA painted a strikingly vivid picture in its 98-point rave: "A jaw-dropping exercise in finesse, slowly unfurling in the mouth to reveal layer upon layer of bright, crunchy red and black fruits, supported by a rock-solid frame of firm, fine-grained tannins and tons of freshness, finishing long and with an impressive mineral and exotic spice firework display.” Not to be overlooked, the 2021 garnered 96 points from Vinous, which anticipated "a super-classic La Conseillante” in the making, a wine that "bristles with energy from start to finish."

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 their 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. This respectful, detail-oriented approach is deeply rooted in the estate's history. Since 1871, five generations of the Nicolas family have stewarded La Conseillante, building a profound understanding of their terroir over time. The result is a wine that eloquently speaks of its place — the unique clay and gravel soils of Pomerol — and the careful hands that craft it. 

What to Pair Them With: These elegant Pomerols pair beautifully with roasted lamb, beef tenderloin, or duck confit. Or, for a vegetarian option, and to complement the earthy notes in the glass, try them with wild mushroom risotto or 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: Because pristine provenance is of utmost importance to us, these wines come directly from the estate. Your bottles will arrive in pristine condition, ready for your cellar — or your glass.

 
 

*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Fall 2024. 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 CT, KS, MI, NY, TN, or WA. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Tuesday, August 13th, 2024.