'05 Chateau La Conseillante

98 DecanterReview Date: 02/2017Superb primary nose of cola, bramble, blackcurrant and a lifted note of iris. On the palate, flavours of graphite and sweet cherry mingle with dense, fine grained tannins. So juicy and sweet with a touch of cola, iron, ink, earth and truffle following. Unusually, this had been aged in 100% new French oak barriques because of the ripeness and power of the vintage. Yet there is barely a hint of oak in this superbly refined, complex and elegant wine, which seems so sprightly, fresh and vital. The overall effect is one of amplitude without heaviness, not to mention superb balance, complexity and length. Deliciously enjoyable now but this wine will continue to age and improve for decades. 97 Vinous Antonio Galloni 97 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "The 2005 La Conseillante is a rich, heady Pomerol. Crème de cassis, lavender, chocolate, leather, espresso, licorice and sweet French oak infuse the 2005 with tremendous character. The 2005 is, naturally, a wine