Château Tertre Roteboeuf 2006

After the prodigious 2005, this is a so-so effort from proprietor Francois Mitjavile. A medium dark ruby color is accompanied by scents of dusty, earthy, sweet-and-sour cherries. The wine hits the palate with a medium-bodied mouthfeel, but hard tannins appear in the narrow, austere, disjointed finish. With aeration, some chocolate and herb notes make an appearance, but the wine’s structure dominates. I suspect it will dry out within a decade.

Rich and generous, with dark fruit and roasted notes. The palate is round and sweet, yet a clear freshness shines through. Slight dryness on the finish.

Dark red. Exotic dark raspberry, chocolate liqueur and smoky oak on the nose and palate. Lush, sweet and slightly decadent but not especially exotic for this wine. Round, sexy and plump but with no excess weight. In fact, this is rather suave and smooth, with good inner-palate energy. Finishes with supple, broad tannins and sneaky length. Not quite as creamy or intense as it appeared to be from barrel, but this should give pleasure over the next 10 or 12 years.

Light in color, the wine looks much older than its current age. Jammy black raspberry, vanilla, kirsch and spice aromas greet your nose. The charming, Saint-Emilion wine feels polished and silky in texture, but it's rapidly reaching maturity at an early age. I'd opt for drinking this sooner than later.

Very dark, deep garnet. Expansive bouquet of plum, fermented tea, speculoos biscuit, black bread, showing ripe fruit. On the palate, linear and fresh in its fruit, again black plums, fig notes, fig seeds at the core, aromatic finish; it will be pleasing very early despite good potential. A very direct, less heavy Tertre-Rôteboeuf than in some other vintages.

Very dark, deep garnet. Expansive plum bouquet, fermented tea, speculoos biscuits, black bread, showing ripe fruit. On the palate, straightforward, fresh in its fruit, again black plums, fig tones, fig seeds at the core, aromatic finish. Will be very appealing very early, despite good potential. A very direct Tertre-Rôteboeuf that does not come across as heavy as certain other vintages. 08: Just before bottling, the wine already shows a slight brownish discoloration. Little wine taste but lots of coconut Bounty and hazelnut pralines—thus only geographically, not gustatorily, distant from a Ribera del Duero. Will be ready to enjoy immediately upon delivery.

Sweet, velvety, soft, opulent bouquet with chocolate, nuts, vanilla, dried fruits, bananas. Sweet, opulent, velvety, soft palate with sweet fruit, soft tannins, rich structure. Very long, sweet finish with Ragusa. 18/20 2010 - 2023