Château La Conseillante

An 18th-century businesswoman behind Château La Conseillante

La Conseillante is Pomerol's second most famous wine after Petrus. This undeniable success was made possible by the determination of Catherine Conseillan who, between 1735 and 1776, decided to create a 12-hectare vineyard. Even today, the mosaic of plots has not changed. Catherine Conseillan also initiated the construction of the château. In 1754, she thought of a more feminine form of her name to give to the estate: "Conseillante".

Nicolas and Louis Nicolas set up their trading company "Nicolas Frères" in 1871 and acquired the estate in 1872. Louis Nicolas traveled extensively for his trading business and realized the need to promote Pomerol wine. He helped found the Syndicat Viticole de Pomerol in 1900. He decided to perfect the look of the bottle, notably with a colored cap and a timeless label (still in use today) featuring the initial of their family name in the center. On the estate, he invested in major drainage works. The estate remains in the Nicolas family, handed down from generation to generation. La Conseillante's reputation became worldwide in 1971, thanks to the precision of Francis and Bernard Nicolas.

Chateau La Conseillante's environmental commitment

Respecting nature and thinking of future generations is a fundamental value of the Nicolas family. As proof, they quote Saint-Exupéry to present what defines them "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children". In addition to having obtained environmental certifications, the new generations are working on biodiversity, which has a double advantage: planting plants that will maintain the quality of this exceptional terroir and encouraging biodiversity within the estate.

A singular terroir at the service of Château La Conseillante wines

Different soils shelter the 12 hectares of vineyards: clay soils and gravel soils, with subsoils of iron dross. Pomerol's clay soils are unique in that they have a natural ability to store water and redistribute it to the plants during dry periods. Merlot and Cabernet Franc thrive on these soils. The estate's crowning jewel is La Conseillante. Among the aromas of spices, red fruit and peony, it is violet that gives La Conseillante its signature. After 10 years' cellaring, aromas of black truffle emerge. Depending on the year, the ageing potential can range from 9 to over 40 years! 2007 sees the arrival of the latest addition: Duo de la Conseillante, less concentrated than La Conseillante, but nevertheless very close in aroma. Its ageing potential is between 2 and 10 years. These red wines are best served at a temperature of 15°C to accompany foie gras, duck breast, game and red meats.