History
Château La Conseillante's history dates back to the mid-eighteenth century when Catherine Conseillan, an influential metal merchant in Libourne, created a 12-hectare vineyard and built the château between 1735 and 1776. She gave her name to the estate in 1754, earning her the nickname "the iron lady." The estate remained under her control until she bequeathed it to her niece, Marie Despujol, to prevent division.
In 1871, the Nicolas family, consisting of brothers Louis and Nicolas, acquired the estate. They managed to preserve the property during the devastating Phylloxera blight by pioneering the use of carbon disulphide injections into the soil in 1878. The Nicolas family has continued to manage the château, with the fifth generation, Jean-Valmy and Bertrand Nicolas, currently at the helm. Over the years, the estate has undergone significant renovations, including a new winery built in 1971, which has contributed to the international recognition of its wines.
Terroir
Château La Conseillante is situated on the eastern border of Pomerol, adjacent to Saint-Émilion. The vineyard's terroir is characterized by clay-based soil enriched with iron, which forms the foundation for the estate's grand vin blend. This clay contributes to the wine's structure, providing a solid foundation, while the gravel aids in drainage, preventing water accumulation that could adversely affect the vines. The presence of iron in the soil adds a distinctive mineral note to the wines, enhancing their complexity.
The terroir also includes deposits of iron, gravel, and sand, with large deposits of blue clay. Depending on the location within the vineyards, soils can have a deeper concentration of clay or more gravel and sand. Most of the Cabernet Franc is planted in the gravel and sand soils, while the Merlot is planted in the clay-dominated soil. This diverse terroir contributes to the unique characteristics of Château La Conseillante's wines, making them distinctively elegant and refined.
