1986 La Conseillante
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Tasting notes
The 1986 La Conseillante is a wine that I have tasted on three occasions. As part of the Chez Bruce vertical in research for the book it failed to shine and in print I described it as "curmudgeonly and dowdy". Recent bottles have been a little better, reflecting a rather dull patch for the estate and certainly a wine that pales against the superior 1985. Tasted at a private dinner in London.
Critic scores
Average Score
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Tasted at the château, the 1986 La Conseillante has never really shone in previous encounters. Certainly there is conspicuous bricking on the rim, perhaps more so than other wines of the vintage. The nose is actually not too bad, loose-knit with iron filings, dried blood and leather, a little animally. The palate is medium-bodied and fully mature. There is good weight and body, but it is clearly at the end of its plateau with dried blood and ferrous notes on the soft finish. Drink any bottles sooner rather than later or head for superior vintages, such as the 1985 or 1989. Tasted July 2016.
Rather luscious colour. Sweet and still fresh. Deep ruby but with lots of development at the rim. Lovely sweetness and completeness. Long and fresh. Bravo! Firm. Complete. Very long. Still vigorous. Very sweet but dusty. Gunpowder. Admirably youthful even if not as subtle as some of the wines in this flight. (JR)
Just what you expect from top-class Pomerol. Complex fruit, mint and leather aromas are followed by rich, smooth, almost chocolaty flavors and soft tannins. Chewy and long-lasting on the finish. Drink now through 1998. James Suckling, Wine Spectator 1989
About the producer
Château la Conseillante was built in 1750 and named after the proprietor, Libourne business woman Catherine Conseillan. The reputation of the wines quickly grew and her wines became some of the most expensive in the region.