CHATEAU LA CONSEILLANTE

This is one of the older properties in Pomerol, with a history going back to the mid-18th Century, when it was owned by the Conseillan family, who were producing wine there by the 1750s.

Present owners, the Nicolas family, purchased the château back in 1871, so they have a bit of time on the clock now (five generations, to be exact). In 1971, the estate was completely renovated and modernized, with La Conseillante the first to introduce Pomerol to the concept of stainless steel. The vines average 35 years, but some date back as far as 1958.

The winding, 11.8-hectare property, straddling both Pomerol and Saint-Émilion, is planted in 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, with a future goal of 25-30% for the latter variety. In the vineyard, methods are stridently traditional, while the winery is overtly state-of-the-art.

With new cellars and stainless temperature-controlled vats, they can now vinify parcel by parcel, gaining much control in the process. La Conseillante lives up to its hefty reputation for powerful, elegant expressions and consistent output.