1996 La Conseillante
By Chateau La Conseillante
1996 La Conseillante from Chateau La Conseillante, Pomerol, Bordeaux
In the pantheon of fine Bordeaux, the 1996 vintage from Chateau La Conseillante shines as a testament to the virtue of equilibrium in wine—an interplay between power and finesse that only Pomerol can poetically articulate. I have been tracking the evolution of this vintage since its inception, for its mettle has underscored many a wine connoisseur's cellar.
A Pinnacle of Pomerol Providence
The year 1996 bestowed upon the vineyards of Bordeaux a growing season that was remarkable for its climatic generosity. In Pomerol, this benevolence extended towards Chateau La Conseillante with moderate gratitude, allowing the Merlot and Cabernet Franc to ascend to optimal ripeness. Herein, the tapestry of '96 unfurls, imbuing the 1996 La Conseillante with a complexity that marbles robust dark fruits with enigmatic layers of truffle and tobacco—a duality that encapsulates the essence of investment-grade wines.
Terrain and Time: The Maturation Marvel
Visiting this particular vintage today is akin to perusing an art exhibition where time itself is the curator. There's an olfactory gallery displaying pencil lead and dried petal aromas inviting one's senses to wander amidst shades of mature plum and verdant undergrowth. On the palate, the 1996 La Conseillante from Chateau La Conseillante imparts a supple silhouette that waltzes with tannins now softened by years, yet it still retains a vivacious acidity that ensures longevity, making it a profound choice for collectors seeking to embellish their investment portfolios.
Standing now at a remarkable point in its narrative arc, this vintage adroitly balances immediate gratification with potential for future revelations. Wine investment often hinges on such virtues - recognizing not just present allure but also forecasting future enchantment. The 1996 La Conseillante from Chateau La Conseillante is undoubtedly one for the oenophile who appreciates wine as both an art form and an asset.
I find myself often reflecting on how the narratives we scribe into our tasting notes are inextricable from time’s ebb—how vintages like these remind us that what is captured in bottle one year can unfurl into historical eminence down through decades. Such is the chronicle of the 1996 La Conseillante—a journey worthy of both celebration and speculation in the vast domain of fine wine investment.
Market price (GBP)
£1,570.00
12x75cl
Highest score
91
POP score
142.73
Scores and tasting notes
Tasted at the château, the 1996 La Conseillante has always been a good performer in what is a Left Bank vintage. Although there is noticeable bricking on the rim, there is plenty of freshness on the nose, quite floral with crushed strawberry, cranberry leaf and a touch of tomato vine, which after ten minutes turns into black truffle (typical trait in Pomerol). There is good vigor here for a 20-year-old Pomerol. The palate is medium-bodied and here you could argue that it is more advanced than the aromatics. Yes, there is good weight and balance, perhaps a little rustic compared to recent vintages, but there is plenty of enjoyable ferrous fruit, white pepper, sage, black truffle and spice notes liberally sprinkled over vestiges of red fruit. Clearly this is a La Conseillante that is à point and I would probably broach bottles over the next decade. Tasted July 2016.
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 28 October 2016