***2021 BWE WINE OF THE YEAR: 2014 CHATEAU LA CONSEILLANTE

[JimHow]

So...

Life is not always fair. For all I know, the 2014 Vieux Chateau Certan is light years ahead of the 2014 Chateau La Conseillante. All I can tell you, folks, is this:

I have had the 2014 La Conseillante twice. Both times, I have found it stunningly brilliant. And what is a little bit haunting is how amazingly it tracked each time. I drank both bottles very slowly. Tonight, like the first time, it started off a little slow, almost sour. It was much more open tonight on the nose than the first time. The hallmark of this beauty, though, was how it just kept sneaking up on me... It did that last time, almost in a sexual/sensual way. It just kept building and building. I have been screaming for several years now how the 2014 vintage is every bit as brilliant on the right bank as it is on the left bank. And this is a classic example of that.

As has been recorded here, I uncorked a 2014 Vieux Chateau Certan for competition. August members no less than the Comte de Flaneur, Blanquito, Musigny 151, Orlando Bobby, and I know I'm missing a few others -- no mean competition -- argued VERY aggressively in favor of the 2014 VCC. Sadly for the VCC, it may have caught me in a bad place and a bad time. I took delivery of the wine on that cold afternoon, and I uncorked it that evening, still perhaps a little too cool and maybe a little bottle shocked, although I've never been a big believer in that. The 2014 VCC was just much bigger, bolder, more closed, longer aging for sure. The "better" wine, perhaps, in the long run. A definite 97-pointer. In the end, though, I can't ignore the now TWO brilliant experiences I have had with the 2014 Chateau La Conseillante... If 2014 VCC is 97 points, the 2014 La Conseillante is 97+ points.

We visited the property in 2015, it was one of he highlights of our trip, hosted by the guy who is now at Talbot. It was without doubt one of the highlights of our trip. Also: Chateau La Conseillante is a wine that has been VERY prevalent on this site. We have seen many, many joyous notes of the wines of La Conseillante here on BWE. Rob and Sue and I visited Bill and Jan in College Station Teyxxxass a few years back... Rob brought a 1989 and 1990 La Conseillante... It may have been the setting on the back deck with BWE family, but those wines were among the top experiences I've had in 21 years of BWE. Just this past year, I think the consensus is that the La Conseillantes shined in the big Thursday night Pomerol dinner in DC.

Look, don't get me wrong. The limited number of times I've had VCC, it has blown me away. In this time and place, though, the 2014 Chateau La Conseillante -- from that magnificent vintage on both the left and right banks of the Gironde -- wins over my heart.

It was a tough call. This 2014 La Conseillante is stunningly feminine, floral, velvety, violets, summer flowers, light on its feet. So feminine, pretty, delicate, but a strong backbone there too. Stunning. 97+ points.

A quick note in the end... Marcus's arguments on QPR and otherwise were persuasive, may have tipped the scales every so barely to La Conseillante. A very, very difficult choice!

Credit must of course also go to one Jckba, who noted early in the process that, in this our 21st year, we had yet to select a wine from the great appellation of Pomerol. That error has now been corrected.

And so....

I hereby declare, in my capacity as the kind and benevolent dictator of Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts -- the greatest wine internet website -- that the 2014 Chateau La Conseillante joins the pantheon of greatness that is the annual recognition of Bordeaux Enthusiasts Wine of the Year in the year of our lord, 2021.

Congratulations Chateau La Conseillante, as the first Pomerol representative in the 21 year history of BWE, and as a well-deserved celebration of the glories of the wines of 2014, from both the left and right banks!

So it shall be written, so it shall be done...

2000: 1996 Sociando-Mallet
2001: 1989 Lynch-Bages
2002: 1995 d'Yquem
2003: 1999 Haut Brion Blanc
2004: 2000 Pichon Baron and 2000 du Tertre
2005: 2000 Margaux
2006: 2003 Pontet-Canet
2007: 2002 Leoville Poyferre
2008: 2005 Burgundy vintage (protest vote)
2009: 1989 Lafite Rothschild
2010: 2005 Cantemerle
2011: 2008 Leoville Poyferre
2012: 2009 Giscours
2013: 2004 Smith Haut Lafitte
2014: 2010 Chasse Spleen
2015: 2012 Leoville Las Cases
2016: 2012 Barde-Haut
2017: 2014 Calon Segur
2018: 2015 Brane Cantenac
2019: 2016 Tour Saint Christophe
2020: 2016 Leoville Barton and 2008 Dom Perignon
2021 2014 Chateau La Conseillante

Jim How
Benevolent Dictator
Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts

[JoelD]

Well spoken, Jim. I don't always agree with your rationale but this one I completely do. Even if you caught the VCC while closing down, I think the fact that the La Conseillante is half the price, must factor. When two wines are so very close, a clear difference in price will almost always sway me.

So far I am partial to the femininity of La Conseillante but I need to try some of the top vintages of VCC. You're right about Pomerol night, although that was not a fair vintages comparison.

[jckba]

A fitting tribute to the final vintage of Jean-Michel Laporte‘s tenure.

[Nicklasss]

A good choice Jim, as La Conseillante has always been well considered here on BWE.

VCC is great, but i'm not sure it is "making unity" among Bordeaux wine lovers as La Conseillante. But at the same time, i'm looking forward my next VCC...

I'm sad for 2014 Clerc Milon (i did not had) or 2016 Sociando Mallet (i did had) that could have been great choice too. But at the end, it is a tough job to make a choice and appreciate that you have to make it!

[JimHow]

2014 VCC, 2014 Clerc Milon, and 2016 Sociando Mallet, among others, Nicola, were certainly worthy runners up. In the end, it was time for a people’s choice favorite Pomerol. And I just think 2014 is such a classic BWE vintage.

[JimHow]

We’ll have to uncork one when next we meet Joel!

[Blanquito]

Well done, BD. An excellent choice. I’ll source a few now.

[JimHow]

You can’t go wrong with the price Patrick!

[JoelD]

We’ll have to uncork one when next we meet Joel!

Sounds great, I was going to suggest the same. Along with another 2014. Or a VCC. That 2010 La Conseillante that you brought to the Thursday dinner was so surprisingly accessible and wonderful. Glad i have a bottle of that. Now just need to find more of that perfect Howquito 2000...

I'll forever be in your debt for championing the 2014 vintage. I have been backfilling wherever I can and have yet to be disappointed by a single bottle from any appellation!

[DavidG]

Great choice and very nice write-up. Well done, Jim!

Now that this weighty responsibility is off your shoulders you can concentrate fully on that trial in Alaska.

[JimHow]

Indeed, David. There is a weather disaster in Fairbanks right now. We’re scheduled to fly out Friday. Flights are being cancelled, courts are closed, subpoenas can’t get served, no mail is being delivered to Fairbanks. I can’t get clothes to my client. It’s a nightmare. Oh, and there’s a pandemic raging. And in the middle of all this I’m defending a guy facing 99 years in prison.

[DavidG]

Indeed, David. There is a weather disaster in Fairbanks right now. We’re scheduled to fly out Friday. Flights are being cancelled, courts are closed, subpoenas can’t get served, no mail is being delivered to Fairbanks. I can’t get clothes to my client. It’s a nightmare. Oh, and there’s a pandemic raging. And in the middle of all this I’m defending a guy facing 99 years in prison.

Who wrote this friggin' movie?
Can we just leave the theatre and do something else?

[Comte Flaneur]

Good choice Jim, well done and congratulations!

You have chosen another right bank and the first Pomerol for the award, and recognised the classicism and utility of the 2014 vintage, and the love for Chateau La Conseillante on BWE, a recurring theme over 21 years.

I was pretty sure you would chose this wine after you awarded both it and the VCC the same score and La C is more accessible and half the price.

No need even to justify it.

I wonder though if the modern day Conseillantes have the charm and the magic of those from the 1980s? I find the 2005 a bit clinical and soulless. Maybe it is just a phase it is going through.

I am happy to say that I already own a case of 2014 La C purchased several years ago. I would love to source a bottle and spend the evening with it. Maybe the 2014 has that magic of yore?

[Racer Chris]

My local total wine store has it in stock for $120. If I buy 5 other bottles I can get a bottle of La C. for $108. If I wait for another 15% offering it will be only $102, assuming it doesn't sell out right away now that the award has been bestowed.

[JimHow]

Had I been truly fair to VCC, Ian, I would have uncorked my one remaining bottle tonight and compared it. But I only have that one bottle left and I already deviated last night from my training for Alaska. I had decided before uncorking that, if the La Conseillante faltered in any way — if it failed to match the superb performance of the last time I had it — I was going to go with the VCC. But it really shined again last night, and in an identical way… building up slowly, blooming into an ethereal, classic effort. Joel sourced some bottles for us, we’ll uncork one in 2022, I’m hoping to get over to the other side of the Atlantic at some point.

Chris, I would definitely say go for it, that’s about what we paid most recently, a nice price for the quality involved.

[JoelD]

My local total wine store has it in stock for $120. If I buy 5 other bottles I can get a bottle of La C. for $108. If I wait for another 15% offering it will be only $102, assuming it doesn't sell out right away now that the award has been bestowed.

Are those numbers before tax or after?

[jckba]

[quote="Racer Chris" post_id=100826 time=<a href="tel:1640777734">1640777734</a> user_id=1693]
My local total wine store has it in stock for $120. If I buy 5 other bottles I can get a bottle of La C. for $108. If I wait for another 15% offering it will be only $102, assuming it doesn't sell out right away now that the award has been bestowed.

Are those numbers before tax or after?
[/quote]

It’s before.

https://www.totalwine.com/wine/red-wine ... rules=true

[jckba]

I think it’s also worth mentioning that the pricing of our BWE WotY is a little bit of an anomaly at present as it is retailing for considerably less than what any of the more recent vintages of La Conseillante in the market / coming to market are, so I really think that this pushes it firmly into the BUY IT NOW category or REGRET IT down the line.

[Racer Chris]

My local total wine store has it in stock for $120. If I buy 5 other bottles I can get a bottle of La C. for $108. If I wait for another 15% offering it will be only $102, assuming it doesn't sell out right away now that the award has been bestowed.

Are those numbers before tax or after?

Add another 6.35 percent for the "out the door" price.

[Musigny 151]

I agree it is way underpriced given quality, so a must buy.
I did compare the two 2014 contenders recently, and while I will still champion the VCC as the better wine (and for me it was considerably better) the Conseillante was very nice and at its current price point a steal. Nothing I can think of at its current price comes close, so a worthy Wine of the Year.

[Chateau Vin]

A fitting tribute to the final vintage of Jean-Michel Laporte‘s tenure.

Speaking of BWE WOTY...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n72zmvmsgs

[Comte Flaneur]

Thanks for posting that CV, a rather youthful looking Jean-Michel Laporte.

[dstgolf]

Congrats Jim on a wonderful choice for the WOTY the only vintage that we tasted while visiting La Conseillante in 2015. This has always been a stellar Chateau that I've under bought over the years unfortunately but stunning memories from vintages bought at auction and long gone were the 82,83,89 & 90. We can still remember the taste and more importantly the nose which was mesmerizing. A worthy and great choice stepping up from a few stumbles in previous selections!

Here are a few memories from 2015 trip. https://photos.app.goo.gl/XYER68rZASq5Kx2N7

[dstgolf]

Note the honoured pair of 2014 bottles in the second last picture!! Should post on the webpage if you can like in the past.

[JimHow]

That was a fun trip to La Conseillante.
I think my friend Jennifer is still lusting for him.
The studs of Bordeaux.

[Blanquito]

I took the liberty of adding Danny's iconic photo directly into this thread. It is too apropos to require any extra clicks!

[JimHow]

Nice! So that must have been from barrel?

[Gerry M.]

Now I really feel fortunate and glad I picked up 4 bottles in NH while commiting larceny at $89/btl and partially paying using gift cards from a previous promo. Only wish now I had followed my 1st instinct and emptied the shelf.

[JimHow]

Yeah we got a great deal on that one Gerry, I only bought the one bottle at $89.

[stefan]

Congratulations, Jim.

You persuaded me to (try to) buy the last 7 bottles at a certain retailer. I put in the order but do not know if it will be filled.

[JimHow]

We’ll done, Stefan. Very well done indeed!

[PghMike]

I was looking for a bottle at a few locations and they all vanished yesterday! The price at Saratoga went up 20 bucks a bottle too. Looks like the market actually did move a little.

[JimHow]

Lol... That's not the first time we've seen that happen Mike.

[JCNorthway]

I looked at one retailer's website today, and the price of the 2014 La Conseillante is more than 25% higher than before the announcement was made . . .