Chateau la Conseillante 2020

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "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!"

JAMES 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."

JEB 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."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "The showy display of violets, and lilacs that get the wine going is made even better by the accompanying notes of truffle, chocolate, black cherry liqueur, licorice, and plums. However, as good as this is aromatic, the silky, fresh, sensuous textures, and the level of purity found in the multiple layers of perfectly ripe, elegant fruits are what provide all the right stuff. The seamless finish, with its energy, concentration, and refinement seal the deal. Bottled sexiness, this is so good, I could not put the glass down without refilling it. The only reason this didn't yet garner 100 Pts is the perfect 2016 is just a tiny bit better, for now. Don't be surprised to see this hit 100 Pts as it ages for a bit. Drink from 2027-2060."

WEINWISSER: "Dicht verwobenes Bouquet, schwarze Kirsche, Nougatpraline, betörende Veilchen und Heidelbeergelee. Am sublimen Gaumen eine Textur wie Samt und Seide, kakaoartiges Tanningerüst, gut stützend, balancierte Rasse und durchtrainierter Körper. Im konzentrierten Finale eine Explosion: blaue und schwarze Beeren, Lakritze, Ebenholz und erhabene Adstringenz. Glückwunsch an Direktorin Marielle Cazaux und ihr Team."

DECANTER: "A seriously memorable wine from La Conseillante in 2020. Uplifting and glamorous with blackcurrant patisserie, scented flowers - the Cabernet Franc showing itself on the nose, alongside herbal touches with dark chocolate. Immediately juicy and so lively and bright on the palate turning creamy with a combination of chalky and bitter tannins and touches of wet stone lifted by the almost sweet Merlot fruit with freshness all the way through. A real ‘drink me’ wine with balance and harmony that grows and expands as it opens."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zart tabakig-kräuterwürzig unterlegte schwarze Kirschenfrucht, etwas Nougat, kandierte Orangenzesten. Saftig, elegant, feine schokoladige Textur, feine reife Tannine, gute Frische, seidig und lange anhaftend, mineralisch, sehr gut balanciert, sicheres Reifepotenzial."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Still looks very youthful. Quite a spread of flavours here, rather as I would imagine from a biodynamic estate. Firm, dry, savoury finish after initial opulence. Masses of tannin – far more than in most 2020 right bankers and Graves. Should age well! But too drying to enjoy yet."