Château du Tertre 2023

Open, with plum and pickled cherry fruit; soft attack, ripe tannins finely interwoven with the fruit, comes across a bit more ponderous than before.

The 2023 Château du Tertre has turned out beautifully, revealing aromas of cassis, dark wild berries, rose petals and fresh licorice, accented by refined spice. Medium- to full-bodied, it is round and sapid, layered and deep, built around a fleshy core of fruit framed by velvety, powdery tannins and a gently sweet profile. This blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 11% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot is a sleeper of the vintage.

Flowers, cocoa, raspberries, and spearmint nuances show in the perfume. Medium-bodied, soft, fruity, and fresh, this charmer is not shy about already starting to let you enjoy its black, and red fruit-filled, creamy-textured mid-palate, and finish. Drink from 2027-2045.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, brightening at the rim. Ripe plums, some nougat, delicately spicy, candied orange zest in the underlay. Medium body, red cherries, subtle tannins, mineral, balanced, subtle fruit expression on the finish. A versatile wine for the table.

Delicate blueberry bouquet, refined cassis spice, perfumed pipe tobacco and blueberry drops. On the generous palate, silky texture, tightly knit tannic frame, wonderful extract richness, vibrant drive and a well-trained body. In the focused, long, finely aromatic finish: blackcurrant, licorice, graphite and a fine, sandy astringency.

Enjoyably velvety and silky fresh aromatics, this is Cabernet dominant in character, meaning slim and savoury, and hard to argue with. Has plenty of grip and power as it opens, with cassis bud, blackberry and crayon, together with gentle crushed mint leaf and smoked earth. 60% new oak for ageing, Helfich family new owners since 2021, Cynthia Capelaere estate director, Romain Beurienne technical director, continuing to work biodynamically as they have since 2008. Blend completed early during October, 60% new oak for ageing. The Cabernet Franc vines here are more than 60 years old, and it's an estate that is getting a lot of love and investment since the new owners arrived.

Score: 93–95. Intense and brooding, rich, opaque, the nose gradually reveals complex aromas of black fruits (blackcurrant, black cherry), black licorice, raspberry leaf, wisteria and lily. The palate is equally dark, with superb juiciness and velvety texture, full-bodied and hedonistic. Bravo!

The nose is both delicate and intense. It offers a fine, elongated grain, notes of blackberry, violet and, more subtly, graphite, combined with touches of grey pepper and delicate hints of licorice and sweet spices. The palate is fruity, mineral, and offers freshness, fine tension, juiciness, a zesty backbone, precision, and elegant finesse. It reveals notes of juicy/tangy blackcurrant, blackberry and, more lightly, tangy raspberry, combined with fresh/tangy red berries, as well as hints of cornflower, star anise, a subtle touch of salinity and a very discreet hint of infusion. The tannins are finely plush. Savory finish with lovely freshness.

Floral, intense and pure with a beautiful diversity of aromas ranging from red fruits, blackcurrant and cherry to very fine, slightly toasted wood, coffee and mocha. Supple on the palate with gentle extraction, voluminous and dense but elegant. A supple and persistent finish, a very nice wine with great potential.