Tasting Notes
Robert Parker 94
Having tasted the 1982 Château La Conseillante on numerous occasions, it is fair to say that it has become overshadowed by the 1989 and 1990. Yet it remains not only a prosaically “delicious” Pomerol, but it represents the beginning of a new era for the estate after treading water since the 1960s. This was tasted blind. It has a beautiful, sensual if slightly faded bouquet with mulberry fruit tinged with sage and even a suggestion of black olive that tugs it towards Pessac-Léognan. It lacks the horsepower of the 1989 and 1990, but it is delineated and winsome. The palate is medium-bodied and is brimming over with both finesse and intensity. The quality of the vintage still comes through here, surprisingly deep and voluminous, not as structured as subsequent vintages, but gently fanning out with a subtle wild mushroom note betraying its age on the aftertaste. The bottom line is that this is a lovely, natural La Conseillante perfect for drinking now. Tasted March 2014.
Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030
JancisRobinson.com 19
Lustrous ruby with orange rim. Gloriously mellow and sweet. Pure opulence. Beautifully mature. Not a trace of tannin. Some meatiness and extra depth suggested Pomerol certainly. One blind taster guessed Petrus.
Anticipated maturity: 1992-2020
Vinous 93
Medium red with an amber rim. Exotic aromas of plum, cherry, roast coffee, tobacco leaf and woodsmoke. Sweet, silky and suave, with lovely inner-mouth perfume. More subtle and sophisticated than most right-bank ’82s, with solid underlying structure. Finishes firmly tannic, with sneaky persistence. Classy juice, for drinking over the next 10 to 12 years.
