Château La Conseillante, Pomerol,

Effortlessly classic, with melted tannins at 16 years old. Soft leather, tobacco and white truffle, brambled raspberry fruits, with soft red cherry and blackberry. Smooth and integrated but still with a mint freshness on the finish. Effortless elegance and balance. Around 500 bottles left at the estate of this. This was Jean-Michel Laporte's second vintage, having arrived in 2004. 100% new oak, 3.82ph.

Deep garnet-brick in color, the 2005 La Conseillante is showing some evolution on the nose with notions of cigar box, Chinese five spice, and dusty soil over a core of prunes and figs. Medium-bodied, it delivers mature, exotic, spice-laced dried berry flavors with a chewy texture and a lively backbone, going earthy / savory on the finish. Already relatively evolved, this should continue to cellar to 2040+. La Conseillante is next to L'Evangile, just across the Saint-Emilion border from Cheval Blanc and, in fact, a portion of the vineyard is in Saint-Emilion.

The 2005 La Conseillante is blessed with a truly fabulous, multi-faceted bouquet with layers of redcurrant and cranberry, rose petals, truffle oil, orange rind and hints of Dorset plum. The aromatics here are the most impressive...thus far. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin and a keen line of acidity, fresh and more saline in the mouth compared to the 2004, also with greater mineralité towards the finish. Now we are beginning to see the precision that the property is known for today and you have to stand back and admire the persistence, residues of spice lingering forty-five seconds after the wine has bid adieu. This is evolving with consummate grace and style. Tasted at La Conseillante vertical at the property.