Look at a map of Pomerol and La Conseillante is hard to miss. Its twelve hectares sit right on the boundary with Saint-Émilion, hemmed in by L'Évangile, with Petrus a short walk north and Cheval Blanc directly across the lane. The Nicolas family have owned it since 1871, and the violet capsule and purple-edged label have barely changed in that time.
The house style is the thing people talk about. Merlot with a decent slice of Cabernet Franc, grown on gravel over clay, gives a wine reliably described as scented rather than powerful; violets and dried rose come up again and again in tasting notes going back decades.
1983 was a good year in Pomerol, better than the vintage's mixed reputation in the Médoc would suggest. A bottle of this age has done all its growing up. What is left is perfume, softened fruit and the fine, unforced texture that Pomerol clay gives, sold as a collectible bottle from a specific year rather than a promise about the glass.
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Producer: Château La Conseillante
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Vintage: 1983
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Appellation: Pomerol AOC
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Format: 75cl
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Region: Bordeaux, France
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Style: Red
Where it is likely to be now. La Conseillante's better vintages hold their perfume for decades, so this has a fair chance of still being expressive, though at forty-three it will be delicate and wants opening gently and drinking quickly.
Who it suits. Suits a serious forty-third birthday or anniversary, especially for someone who drinks right-bank Bordeaux and would recognise the violet capsule on sight.
Condition. Graded good by the merchant holding it, meaning label, capsule and fill are all sound for the age; the full condition report is confirmed to you before dispatch.
Provenance. Bought to order from a professional European merchant. We check fill, label and capsule when the bottle reaches us and photograph it before it ships.
Delivered in 7 to 10 working days, tracked. Transit cover can be added at checkout.
Sold as a collectible item, as seen. No guarantee is given on drinkability.
