The 2017 La Conseillante is a regal wine. Lithe and statuesque in the glass, La Conseillante soars with real vertical intensity. Sweet floral aromatics and silky tannins give the 2017 much of its understated, classy personality. Inky dark blue/purplish fruit, spice, licorice and lavender develop with a bit of time, but it is the wine's balance and extreme sense of harmony that stand out most. Technical Director Marielle Cazaux gave the fruit about 2 days on the skins, with no SO2 at crush. Cazaux added that the malos were quite fast. The blend is 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. Frost reduced production by around 15%, while drought further reduced yields in the Franc by a further 10%. This is a fabulous showing. (AG)

A wine compared to the 2001 by winemaker Marielle Cazaux and showing beautifully both from barrel and now bottle, the 2017 Chateau La Conseillante is a classic, elegant wine from this estate that does everything right. Revealing a deep purple hue as well as terrific notes of creme de cassis, black cherries, crushed violets, camphor, and a hint of licorice, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a bright spine of acidity, silky tannins, and a balanced, incredibly classic style. Give this complex, complete Pomerol 5-7 years of bottle age and enjoy over the following two decades. Tasted twice. The blend is 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc and comes from the estate’s 11.8-hectare vineyard of mostly gravelly clay soils (there’s some sand as well as iron), and the aging spans 16 months in 70% new French oak. The 2017 is a selection from 70% of the total production. Marielle Cazaux has unquestionably raised the bar at this estate, which is now nearly always producing one of the top wines in the vintage.