La Conseillante 2016 (750ML)

98+ Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2016 La Conseillante is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc aged in 70% new and 30% one-year-old French oak for 17 months. Deep garnet-purple colored, it slips provocatively out of the glass with a lifted perfume of roses, candied violets and lavender over a core of warm red and black plums, chocolate box, unsmoked cigars and baked cherries with wafts of wild thyme and tilled soil. Medium-bodied, the palate exudes polish and sophistication with bags of fragrance, freshness and energy, sporting exquisitely fine-grained tannins and finishing very long and minerally." 11/18

97 Points, Neal Martin, Vinous: "The 2016 La Conseillante has been on a roll since winemaker Marielle Cazaux took over the running of the estate. It has a very well defined, almost crystalline bouquet of discreet but sophisticated blackberry, briar, mineral and light floral notes. Over the course of 20 minutes, it reveals more plum-like scents and a hint of a cold northern sea. The medium-bodied palate offers crisp tannin, good balance, a silky-smooth texture and a poised and quite linear, classically inspired finish. There are subtle flecks of dark chocolate on the aftertaste. This is a surprisingly understated La Conseillante that will repay long-term cellaring." 1/19

97 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "The 2016 La Conseillante is a brilliant wine from the team led by Technical Director Marielle Cazaud. Polished and sophisticated, the 2016 possesses stunning vertical lift, with soaring aromatics that make a strong first impression. Silky and seductive on the palate, the 2016 is all about precision and energy in the early going. It is also one of the most quite, soft-spoken Pomerols of the vintage. Hints of blackberry, lavender, licorice and spice add nuance, but in 2016 La Conseillante stands out for its sublime balance and total sense of harmony. The 2016 spent 17 months in oak, 70% new. As gorgeous as the 2016 is, my impression is that the best is yet to come. Since arriving at La Conseillante, Cazaud has changed much in the farming of the property, including introducing cover crops and limiting yields. She also now works with no sulfites in winemaking and opts for lower temperatures in fermentation. In other words, the full results of all of that work is yet to be seen. For now, though, the 2016 Conseillante is a pretty special wine. Don't miss it. Tasted two times." 1/19

99 Points, James Suckling: "The aromas of violets and dark berries with licorice and sweet black tea are so attractive. What really impresses is the sweet fruit in the dense middle palate. So attractive. At the same time, there's plenty of plush and ripe tannins that give the wine form and brightness. And it still remains bright on the finish, as the tannins roll on. A great Conseillante. Try after 2024." 2/19