Wines Pomerol Château La Conseillante - 2018

Viniou Reviews

Château La Conseillante 2018 is an exceptional red Bordeaux from the esteemed Pomerol AOC within the Libournais sub-region. This renowned estate, with roots stretching back to the 18th century, consistently delivers wines of extraordinary finesse and depth. Though the exact blend is not specified here, Pomerol reds are classically composed predominantly of Merlot, with a smaller proportion of Cabernet Franc complementing the profile. The 2018 vintage was widely celebrated in Bordeaux, marked by a warm, dry summer ensuring ripe, concentrated fruit. Winemaking at La Conseillante combines modern precision with traditional techniques: careful extraction, elegant oak ageing, and minimal intervention, all designed to highlight the purity and sophistication of the fruit.

Pomerol itself is a small yet prestigious appellation on the Right Bank of Bordeaux, celebrated for its clay and gravel soils that impart a distinctive plushness to the region's Merlot-based wines. The predominance of clay, especially the famed blue clay, retains moisture and encourages deep rooting, resulting in wines with notable richness, silkiness, and longevity. The history of Pomerol is marked by discrete elegance rather than grandeur, with small, family-run estates often delivering world-class wines of remarkable individuality. The temperate maritime climate, influenced by the proximity to the Atlantic, ensures moderate temperatures and balanced ripening, vital for producing wines with both power and refinement.

The sumptuous, velvety texture and aromatic complexity of Château La Conseillante 2018 make it a perfect partner for refined, flavourful dishes. Regional classics like duck breast with a Bordeaux wine reduction or tournedos Rossini beautifully underscore the wine’s depth and structure. It also pairs gracefully with roasted lamb, game birds, or earthy dishes rich in mushrooms and truffles, echoing the wine's own truffle and plum notes.

For optimal enjoyment, decant the wine for at least an hour before serving to encourage the bouquet to unfurl. The ideal serving temperature is between 16-18°C, which will best showcase the wine’s aromatic complexity, plush fruit, and silky tannins. As the wine matures, it will continue to reveal even greater subtlety and nuance, rewarding patience in the cellar.