Nose

Aromas of black fruits, blackcurrant; with notes of peonies.

Palate

This 2020 is fruity, creamy and concentrated. The juicy texture is enhanced by velvety, silky and elegant tannins. La Conseillante 2020 is a bright wine, full of promise for decades to come.

Growing Conditions

Winter 2020 had an excess of rainfall (+200 mm) with warm temperatures. The mildness of February and March gave the starting point to the vines to wake up earlier than usual. Then, bud burst was early as well and marked by an episode of frost at the end of March but without any bad consequences. The mild temperatures of April and May with a good amount of water supply was beneficial to the development of the vines, and induced an early flowering (mid-May).

After a moist spring, summer was very hot and dry. We had+1°C to +1.5°C compared to
normal temperatures of July - September. Harvests started under good and warm weather
conditions.

Surface area: 11,8 hectares
Owner: Famille Nicolas
Managers: Dr Bertrand Nicolas & Jean-Valmy Nicolas
Soil composition : 60% grey clay and 40% sandy gravel,

Harvest

Merlot 04/09 to 17/09 – Cabernet Franc 21/09 and 30/10 (by hand, in low-capacity, open trays)

Winemaking

Led by Marielle Cazaux and partnered by Michel Rolland, the team continues to perfect its knowledge of these terroirs in the vineyard and to fine-tune its work in the cellars. An increasingly proactive and caring approach in the vineyard offers grapes which express with ever greater distinction the characteristics of each plot of vines. Harvested, vinified and aged separately, they provide the precious raw material that will be skilfully brought together in the final blend, when the true nature of each individual terroir and the precision work performed in each task come beautifully into focus. The Merlot subtly mingles with a small but precious amount of Cabernet Franc to offer inimitable aromatic expression in a wine of great suaveness, elegance, boldness and finesse.

Pre-fermentary cold-maceration for 4 days, vatted for 27 days

22 epoxy coated concrete tanks, fully temperature controlled

Aging

70% new oak barrels, 27% one year old barrels & 3% in amphoras for 16 months