Consistently one of the glorious wines of the vintage, and far better than its more renowned stablemate Petrus, La Conseillante’s 1985, which has been fully mature since the late eighties, continues to hold at its magical plateau of maturity. The ostentatious aromatics of smoked herbs, sweet raspberry and cherry fruit intermixed with licorice, Asian spice, and truffle soar from the glass. On the palate, the wine is beautifully concentrated, silky-textured, not a blockbuster, more of an elegant, medium-bodied style, but delicious fruit, impeccable balance, and fabulous purity and staying power in the mouth are what great Bordeaux is all about. Anticipated maturity: Now-2007. Last tasted, 4/02.