Château Tertre Roteboeuf 2017

A surprise of spearmint mixed with dewy soil, thyme, coffee and black cherries brings out the perfume. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, aristocratic and driven by finesse. The fruit is vibrant, with a nectarous interlude at mid-palate, coupled with a silky finish that favors purity of fruit over power.

One of the wines of the vintage is the 2017 Chateau Tertre Roteboeuf, which has much more fruit, opulence, and sexiness than just about every other wine out there. Based on 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc from a fabulous terroir on the famed Saint-Emilion Cote Pavie, it reveals a saturated purple color as well as awesome notes of black raspberries, cassis, jammy blackberries, white chocolate, and tobacco. With plenty of classy oak, full-bodied richness, and a dense, powerful style on the palate, it needs at least 4-6 years of bottle age and will keep for 15-30 years or more. It’s a stunning effort from the genius of François Mitjavile.

What an incredibly deep color, with an almost black core, opaque purple. On the nose, the same phenomenon: concentrated black-berry fruit, a hint of currants, noble black tea, and seductive licorice. Distinctive and of singular stature. On the second pass, captivating Amarena and ripe blueberries. On the creamy palate, sweet extract and finely powdery tannins. The finish brings an explosion of blackberries and dark chocolate notes, with tremendous length that ends in perfect balance. The earliest flowering – yet full ripeness achieved! This year stands out for great finesse.

Kunz barrel sample 18: concentrated, velvety, finely opulent, complex bouquet—cherry compote, figs, pralines, dried fruits, delicate caramel, black tea, graphite. Balanced, densely interwoven, creamy palate with powerful, diverse, sweet aromatics, a delicately creamy texture, plenty of fine tannins, generously ripe fruit, very long, full, sweet finish. Has room to improve.

Concentrated, velvety, finely opulent, complex bouquet: cherry compote, figs, pralines, dried fruit, delicate caramel, black tea, graphite. Balanced, densely woven, creamy palate with powerful, varied, sweet aromatics, delicately creamy texture, plenty of fine tannins, generously ripe fruit, very long, full, sweet finish. Can improve further. 18/20 2024 - 2045

Beautifully fragrant, this is a great example of limestone terroir encouraging floral aromatics, particularly in lighter vintages such as 2017 (I am thoroughly enjoying the 2017 vintage right now by the way, and just a few days ago had a delicious example of the neighbouring wine, Larcis Ducasse). Expect a swirl of gunsmoke, plenty of rich and juicy blueberry and blackberry fruits, violets, peonies, cloves and cumin. Traditionally the southen slopes of St Emilion were called the most Burgundian of the region, and there is a touch of Musigny about this. 100% new oak for ageing. Easily one of the wines of the vintage, tasting even better with six years under its belt, brilliant stuff from François Mitjavile.

Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Tertre Roteboeuf needs a little shaking to unleash pronounced notes of black raspberries, Morello cherries, and juicy plums plus hints of sassafras, cinnamon toast, crushed rocks, and Indian spices. Full-bodied, the palate is rich and sparkles with savory accents, framed by plush tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and harmonious. This is an exercise in balance, with a luminous shimmer.

Irresistible charm in this wine with velvety fruit that is both ripe and fresh, and a subtle sap intensity. Clear, coherent style, with a peppery, floral finish. A true thrill.

This is one of the vintage’s finest successes: after 18 months of ageing, it shows no oak imprint, just a creamy texture; its radiant dark fruit tapers into licorice and graphite nuances.

The nose is elegant and racy, offering refined minerality and freshness. It reveals notes of ripe/fresh blackcurrant, very ripe/fresh plum and, more subtly, fleshy/juicy blueberry, combined with touches of strawberry, licorice, roasting, violet, as well as discreet hints of Sichuan pepper, graphite and chocolate. The palate is fruity, juicy, balanced and elegant, with fine richness and very ripe/fresh/juicy fruit. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of very ripe/juicy blackcurrant, fresh/ripe blueberry and, more subtly, raspberry, combined with touches of juicy plum, along with hints of chocolate, coffee and discreet notes of caramelization. The tannins are elegant and structuring. Good length. Lovely persistence.