One of the great wines of the vintage and one that can rival its 2022 counterpart the 2023 La Conseillante wafts from the glass with a strikingly floral bouquet of violets lilac raspberries exotic spices candied orange pipe tobacco and rose petals. Medium to full-bodied supple and fleshy its textural attack segues into a layered and enveloping core of pure vibrant fruit framed by sweet tannins and concluding with a long precise finish. It's 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.

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.

The 2023 La Conseillante was picked from September 7 with the final Cabernet Franc brought in on October 2 at 43hL/ha. There were just six days of picking over 3.5 weeks. Matured in 70% new oak it has a very well-defined bouquet with black cherries wild strawberries touches of violet and a hint of crushed stone. The palate is medium-bodied with a captivating edgy opening. Just slightly granular in texture thanks to the tannin structure it’s very harmonious and poised with a sophisticated mineral-driven finish. This is an exceptional La Conseillante from Marielle Cazaux and her team. It will rank alongside the 2022 even if it is very different stylistically.

The 2023 La Conseillante is shaping up to be a jewel of a wine. Medium in body and silky with exceptional balance the 2023 impresses from start to finish. Crushed flowers lavender spice mocha and tobacco are some of the many nuances that emerge over time. More than anything else the 2023 impresses with its balance and total class. It's a wine that marries the elegance of La Conseillante with a bit more mid-palate resonance and sustain through the finish than some recent vintages. Yields were 43 hectoliters per hectare. Élevage consists of 70% new oak 27% used barrels and 3% amphora. Tasted two times. 2033-2063