Château La Conseillante 2020

Wineadvocate

One of the wines of the vintage is the 2020 La Conseillante, a blend of 86% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc that wafts from the glass with inviting aromas of raspberries, red cherries and mulberries mingled with exotic spices, violets and rose petals. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and vibrant, it's a beautifully elegant, sensual wine with a deep core of fruit framed by powdery tannins, concluding with a long, extravagantly floral finish. This is a Pomerol of striking purity and sophistication. Congratulations to Marielle Cazaux and her team for surpassing even what they achieved in 2016 and 2019 with this brilliant 2020! - WK 04/2023

Vinous

The 2020 La Conseillante was bottled in the beginning of June. This takes time to unfurl in the glass, blackberry and iris, touches of black truffle and cigar humidor, all beautifully defined. The Cabernet Franc, despite constituting a minor part of the blend plays a major role in the aromatics, lending a touch of black pepper. The palate is medium-bodied with a saline entry, here, the Merlot taking over the steering wheel, fresh and saline, a discreet touch of white pepper mixed with sage and a hint of graphite. Quite persistent in the mouth yet I feel this might close up for a time in bottle. It's quite a serious wine, less flamboyant than the previous vintage, one for hardcore Pomerol aficionados. This is a La Conseillante for long-term ageing. Superb. (Drink between 2029-2065) - NM 02/2023

Beck

La fraîcheur du vin, un leitmotiv certes pertinent, mais en 2020 elle n'était pas donnée. Les pratiques viticoles, en corrélation avec la chaleur et le stress hydrique, ont permis de cadrer le vin afin de lui transmettre le plus d'énergie possible. Commençons par le toucher de bouche, où charme et puissance sont de pair, mais avec une emprise tannique qui remet ce charme là où il doit être, soit autour du vin ! Ajoutons-y la structure acide, et l'on obtient un début d'explication quant aux excellentes aptitudes de 2020 à la Conseillante. La trame tannique est idéalement complétée par une rafraîchissante tension ; lorsque ces deux éléments sont en phase, nul ne leur résiste ! Conseillante 2020 est d'une rare fraîcheur et, surtout, le vin pourra être bu dans sa jeunesse déjà… et ceux qui opteront pour la garde ne pourront que s'en réjouir. Un grand vin c'est toujours bon, juste après sa mise, à un an, dix, vingt… etc. ! 2026-2045 - YB 01/2023

Suckling

So much black truffles here with dried earth, too. Black berries. Crushed stone. Plus violets. Full-bodied. Very plush with velvety tannins. Gentle yet very structured. Succulent. Clear and bright. Superb depth and length. Goes on and on. Thoughtful. Soulful. Try after 2028. - 03/2023

Dunnuck

Another utterly brilliant wine from this team, the 2020 Château La Conseillante is based on 87% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc that saw 70% new French oak. Unquestionably in the same league as the 2019, this beauty offers an incredible bouquet of pure blue fruits, cassis, violets, spring flowers, and truffle. This carries to a full-bodied, seamless, incredibly elegant, layered Pomerol offering perfect tannins, the vibrant, focused, structured style of the vintage, impeccable balance, and a gorgeous finish. As always, this wine is more about purity, finesse, and elegance than power. It offers pleasure even today yet should be given a decade in the cellar, and it will be a 40- to 50-year wine. - 03/2023