Wine: 2003 La Conseillante
Region: Bordeaux
Sokolin Price: $75/btl
Rating: 93 RP-NM
As the hype surrounding the 2009 Bordeaux campaign rages, we decided to dive into the wonderful, classic and timeless world of Bordeaux. Drinking Bordeaux inevitably puts a smile on our face. And, we doubt many people would disagree that it doesn't have the same effect on them, as they swirl and sip wine from this top producing region. On the other hand, the price of a great bottle of Bordeaux, has the potential to hurt the wallet. Our Sokolin buyers have once again scoured the market and picked up some reasonably priced Bordeaux from an ultra premium property, Chateau La Conseillante, which is a true bargain for this potential superstar. Because we were able to pick up a large parcel of the '03 vintage, we are able to offer it out to our customers for only $75/btl. Other vintages of this wine sell upwards of $200/btl.
Part of the charm and mystique of many top Bordeaux wines is its' inherent ability to age well. You can pop one of these bottles that is 15-20+ years old and can almost be guaranteed it's going to impress. With a small group of house guests over the weekend, we served aged prime rib and mushroom risotto with what is still considered a young Bordeaux, the 2003 La Conseillante. Everyone present loved this wine! La Conseillante is from the Pomerol region of Bordeaux and is a neighbor of Petrus, the king when it comes to Right Bank wine, which can also sell for thousands per bottle depending on the vintage.
While the prices of these two wines are on opposite ends of the spectrum, the quality isn't. The fine and high quality of Petrus seems to have trickled over to its neighbor, La Conseillante. Packed with dark berries, earth and possessing notes of a meaty flavor, the finish on this wine is definitely long-lasting. WOW?.It lingered on the palate for at least 30-45 seconds. This is a wine that we recommend decanting for at least 30 minutes prior to drinking, just to soften and improve the overall approachability.
Our recommendation: With the increase in global demand that's picked up over the last few years, wines from Bordeaux, especially the top ones, are disappearing off of the market. At $75/btl, this bottle of La Conseillante is a great wine to pick up now and stash away for the next five or ten years. It has the same score as 1989 La Conseillante and sells for ¼ of the price! Now, that's a good buy on any wine, but especially when it comes to Bordeaux!