We have long been fans of this superb estate on the Pomerol plateau; there is always a sense of drive and energy to the wine that, when allied to the pure fruit ripeness and silkiness of texture, lifts it above many of its peers and certainly to the level of the best in the appellation, including its immediate neighbours L'Evangile and VCC. With borders on these two great properties and one-third of the vineyard lying alongside the driveway of Cheval Blanc, La Conseillante produces a textbook Pomerol which Neal Martin beautifully describes as ‘honest’; it delivers a perfect expression of sumptuous Merlot in the gorgeously svelte but structured frame which characterises great Pomerol. There is no pomp and circumstance here – all the effort that goes into La Conseillante goes into the bottle and the results show particularly in less-celebrated vintages, where it usually ranks right near the top of the tree. In great years, it can leave one mesmerised.