Dating back to the 18th century, this estate is named after its first owner, Catherine Conseillant. Château La Conseillante was acquired by Nicolas and Louis-Simon Nicolas in 1871, and has been in the family ever since. It is currently managed by Marie-France and Bertrand Nicolas. Jean-Michel Laporte is in charge of the vineyards and the cellar since 2001, with help from consulting enologist Gilles Pauquet.

The estate has 12 hectares under vine – 7.5 ha in the commune of Pomerol and 4.5 in that of Saint-Emilion. Bordered by Cheval Blanc and Pétrus, the plots in Pomerol have black clay soil atop layers of crasse de fer (iron pan) and marl, while the Saint Emilion plots are more gravelly, with a crasse de fer subsoil. The average vine density at La Conseillante is 6,000 per hectare (7,500 on the more recently-planted plots), with a yield of 40 hl/ha. Merlot is the predominant grape variety (80%), followed by the later-ripening Cabernet Franc.

The vines (35 years old on average) are tended with the greatest of care, and pruned using either the Guyot single or Guyot double method. Sustainable agricultural methods prevail: pesticides are rarely used, weed killers not at all, and auxiliary insects such as ladybugs and mites are encouraged.

Fertilizers are organic. No nitrates are used, and the vineyards are plowed four times a year. This enhances water regulation, so there is no need to let grass grow between the vine rows. Earthing-up is done in winter, the vines are topped in summer, and green harvesting techniques (bud, leaf, and bunch thinning) are performed as necessary. The vineyard team at Château La Conseillante aims to leave no more than 6 bunches per vine. 

At vintage time, the grapes and grape seeds are taste tasted as well as analyzed (sugar content, acidity, etc.). Sorted once in the vineyard, the hand-picked grapes are put into small crates and then sorted a second time on a vibrating table in the winery, after which they are destemmed, crushed, and undergo cold maceration (11°C). This is followed by alcoholic fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats at 19°C, with daily pumping over.

Each grape variety is fermented separately in Château La Conseillante’s new state-of-the-art vat room. The wine ages for 18 months (racked every three months) in 80-100% new French oak barrels from three coopers, with varied degrees of toasting.

 Up until 2003, La Conseillante made their final blend after malolactic fermentation, and before aging. However, this is no longer the case, and the wine is now blended just before bottling and fined with 4 or 5 egg whites per barrel.

The same basic label with cut corners has been used since 1871. This features a silver border and large "N". The dark purple capsule is evocative of the wonderful aromas contained within. Every bottle is laser-marked for security.

Somewhat austere when young, Château La Conseillante is sublime in great vintages. A classic, great Pomerol, this attractive, complex, and elegant wine has a wonderful silky texture. With age, it displays rich truffle and violet aromas.

In the Bottle

After less than wonderful results around the turn of the century, Château La Conseillante's recent vintages have shown spectacular progress.

La Conseillante is a pleasure for lovers of full-bodied wines with loads of ripe fruit. With its new quality orientation, Château La Conseillante looks on the verge of producing wines on a par with such historic vintages as 1949, 1989 and 1990 La Conseillante.

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Château la Conseillante, Duo de Conseillante (second wine) since 2007