Jacques Selosse Blanc de Blancs Initial Brut (2009 disgorgement) NV
". . . rich and creamy, with waves of ripe fruit that caress the palate. Scents of light honey, toastiness and hazelnuts add layers of complexity and nuance. The wine shows terrific detail, with a vein of graphite and minerality that frames the long, sensual finish. The Initial is Chardonnay from the villages of Avize, Cramant and Oger. This is the March 29, 2009 disgorgement and the base vintages are 2004, 2003 and 2002."
93 Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Château La Conseillante 2012
“An absolutely amazing wine from the Nicolas family, this is from another estate in Pomerol that is pushing the envelope to higher and higher quality . . . . Inky bluish/purple color and stunning sweet tannins embrace a full-bodied opulent Pomerol with beautiful, floral-infused black raspberry, blueberry and cassis fruit. Full-bodied, yet elegant, this is a brilliant marriage between finesse and power. Stunningly pure, this wine can be drunk young or age magnificently . . .”
96 Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
Château La Conseillante 2011
“It has a very well defined bouquet with attractive dark berry and mulberry aromas, the terroir really coming through with subtle notes of black truffle. The palate is medium-bodied and I think Jean-Michel has really achieved very the filigree tannins this year, rendering this the most feminine La Conseillante I have tasted. It is silky smooth and yet there is certainly a tensile structure that should see it age nicely . . . . It is very composed, almost understated towards the finish, but this shows great persistency in the mouth without being overpowering. A ‘controlled’ La Conseillante” with just a elegant, beautiful finish.”
94-96 Neal Martin, Wine Journal
Château La Conseillante 2009
“Blackberries, violets and licorice, with hints of lavender. Full body, with phenomenal texture of ultra-fine tannins and subtle and intriguing fruit character. Goes on for minutes.”
97 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
Château La Conseillante 2005
“Displaying spectacular aromatics of mulberry, blueberry and raspberry fruit, a dense ruby/purple color, and sweet floral notes, in the mouth the 2005 La Conseillante is . . . gorgeously silky, elegant and stylish. This medium-bodied, savory wine is a graceful, provocative and compelling Pomerol to drink now and over the next 25 years.”
97 Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
Château La Conseillante 2000
“An elegant, gentle style that is never a blockbuster, the 2000 La Conseillante has a deep ruby/plum/purple color and an unbelievably expressive nose of sweet kirsch liqueur intermixed with raspberries, incense, toast, and licorice. Full-bodied yet ethereal in the sense that it seems to combine power along with eloquence and delicacy, this is a beautifully pure wine that has just hit its plateau of full maturity. . .”
96 Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
Château La Conseillante 1999
“. . . This was the real surprise of this blind vertical tasting-the '99 trumping the '98! It actually reflects my original assessment of this wine back at primeur. Here there is superb ripeness on the ebullient nose with ravishing scents of blackberry, cedar, cigar box and a touch of smoke. Good definition, the plum and blackberry fruit emerging with time (rather reluctantly I might add.) The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe tannins . . . very well balanced with the Cabernet Franc lending an attractive savoury/meaty edge towards the finish.”
94 Neal Martin, Wine Journal
Château La Conseillante 1990
“One of the all-time great La Conseillantes, this wine, which to me has similarities to a grand cru Burgundy from the likes of Henri Jayer, still has a deep ruby/purple color and an exotic, even flamboyant bouquet of vanilla, kirsch liqueur, raspberries, licorice, and Asian spice. Full-bodied, very opulent, with low acidity, yet consistently a velvety-textured, full-bodied mouthful, this endearing, very seductive wine clearly demonstrated why Pomerols are often called the ‘Burgundies of Bordeaux.’”
98 Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
Château La Conseillante 1989
“Having tasted the 1989 Château La Conseillante on more than a dozen occasions, I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that it is one of my favourite Pomerols from the vintage. Although on its day, the 1989 Clinet can outplay La Conseillante, the fact of the matter is that the latter is the more consistent Pomerol. Here, it has that beguiling bouquet of melted black fruit, sage, undergrowth and hints of bacon fat, like a wagging finger inviting you inside. The palate is smooth and harmonious, a mixture of red and black fruit that seem to revel on the precocity of the growing season, even though it was now 27 years ago. It is a voluminous, mouth-filling Pomerol, but not extravagant, flamboyant for sure and yet never betraying its roots. It's just a wonderful La Conseillante, a thoroughbred Pomerol that puts a smile on your face.”
96 Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate
Château Suduiraut 1975
". . . a mature bouquet with mandarin, tangerine, orange rind, lanolin and dried honey that lacks sweetness but is very well defined. The palate is beautifully balanced and fresh with quince and orange rind, a touch of honeycomb towards the long finish that seems dry when compared to the more extravagant 2001. Certainly, this is the best Suduiraut of the decade."
93 Neal Martin, Wine Journal |
