97+

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

The 2023 La Conseillante is very clearly one of the standouts of the year. Plush contours wrap around a core of blueberry fruit as lavender, cloves, chocolate and licorice weave across the palate. The purity here is just remarkable, especially in the bouquet. Seamless in the glass, the 2023 impresses with its understated intensity and svelte personality. It is one of the most outstanding wines of the year. An archetype. In short, the 2023 is très Conseillante. If anything, I may be underestimating it. Tasted two times. 03/2026

96

Neal Martin

Vinous

The 2023 La Conseillante had been bottled in May. This certainly benefitted from a few minutes' aeration, gaining clarity with blackberry, blueberry, dried, wilted flowers and touches of crushed stone, the 12% Cabernet Franc imparting light pepperiness. The palate is medium-bodied and perhaps demonstrates a little more backbone than out of barrel. Firm grip, a touch of chalkiness in texture toward the finish, with a very long finish. This delivers. 02/2026

100

William Kelley

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate

Just as it was from cask, the 2023 La Conseillante is one of the vintage's most exciting wines in bottle. Offering up lavish aromas of ripe blackberries and mulberries mingled with hints of violets and mint, it's medium- to full-bodied, supple and fleshy, with an ample core of fruit, beautifully refined tannins and a long, perfumed finish. Readers who own both the deeper-pitched, elegantly muscular 2022 and the utterly charming, hedonistic 2023 will enjoy comparing and contrasting the two over the decades to come. The 2023 is a blend of 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc, some 30% of which is maturing in amphorae. Harvest began on September 7, lasting until October 2, block by block. 04/2026

95-97

Jeb Dunnuck

Jeb Dunnuck

From yields of 43 hectoliters per hectare, the 2023 Château La Conseillante checks in as a blend of 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc that was brought up in 70% new French oak, with 3% in amphora. This deep purple-hued beauty offers up a classic Conseillante nose of red and blue fruits, spring flowers, violets, and spice box, and it's such a great example of the complexity and elegance this estate delivers today. Medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced, and elegant, it has plenty of tannins, integrated acidity, and a gorgeous finish. This utterly classic, floral Conseillante will need 5-7 years to hit maturity and have 30 years of longevity. The 2023 hit 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.68. 05/2024

97-98

James Suckling

James Suckling

Wow. What beauty, elegance and length in this young wine, with medium body and vivid, bright acidity that gives energy and greater length. The tannins are extremely fine-grained, with an endless, silky texture. Another al-dente wine with brilliance. Goes on for minutes. 88% merlot and 12% cabernet franc. 04/2024