Château La Conseillante

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 La Conseillante sashays out of the glass with the most gorgeous notes of lilacs, Black Forest cake, kirsch and black raspberries plus nuances of cinnamon stick, dark chocolate and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a firm, finely grained texture with bags of perfumed black fruits and wonderful freshness, finishing very long and very fragrant.

Tasted blind. Deep ruby colour. Very minty on the nose, with hints of white flowers and cassis. Bracing tannins, a firm, muscular style. Highly vibrant and squeaky-clean blackcurrant fruit drive the palate. Vertical with lots of energy but the minty fruit is very different to everything else at this tasting and perhaps muted my score.

A young red with sweet fruit and very fine tannins, which have a creamy and almost salty sensation. Medium to full body. Blackberries, dark chocolate and bark. Some black tea, too. It shows an energy and tension. The creamy tannins give polish and beauty. Better after 2023.