Review: La Conseillante 1985 Pomerol
- vinterest
- Sep 6, 2015
- 2 min read
The low-down: My first encounter with Pomerol three years ago was an epiphany! It was a Chateau L'Enclos 2004 that amazed me with its silky smooth texture and lovely balance. I definitely was under-prepared to appreciate it back then. Today I feel the same about this beauty - a Christmas gift I have been hoarding until my birthday! Hidden within Pomerol is Chateau La Conseillante, a humble 12ha vineyard that produces some of the best merlot on the planet! Only 4,000 cases of it too! The land, which adjoins Cheval Blanc, has remained in the Nicolas family for 140 years.
The 1985 vintage was apparently an excellent vintage. It also comes from a time when alcohol content was not important enough to appear on the label ... nice.
We have had the fortune of tasting one more Pomerol: a 1999 Fugue de Nenin.
The take: The age is obvious in the appearance - a very light, brown-red. The nose is chalky initially, with a strong savoury character, like cooking stock. A bouquet of forest floor and mushroom, along with dried fruits, apricots and burnt caramel. So complex! The attack is juicy, a hint of salt, a light finish. Quite unlike what we normally expect from Bordeaux merlot. Sour black fruits, a hint of spice, toast. Becomes jammy after a while, with a hint of coffee too. A perfect accompaniment to our rare tenderloin!
In closing: An ageing beauty, delicate and refined.
Rating: 8.0 out of 10.
Fact corner:
Country: France
Region: Pomerol
Producer: Chateau La Conseillante
Vintage: 1985
Grape: Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Alcohol content: n/a
Serving temperature: n/a
Price range: Premium
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