2019 Château Tertre Roteboeuf Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

François Mitjavile, the philosophical gentleman farmer of Saint-Émilion, continues to produce some of Bordeaux's most exceptional and characterful wines from his 5.6 hectare amphitheater-shaped vineyard on the southern clay-limestone slopes of Saint-Laurent-de-Combes. François is a passionate and charismatic man who works differently from everyone else, refusing to join the "Bordeaux circus", as he calls it.

Mitjaville's Merlot and Cabernet Franc fruits are pruned in cordon and trained almost impossibly low to the ground and harvested as late as possible, in pursuit of what he describes as the "lush breakdown" of the tannins. The vinification is in some respects rather old-fashioned, with quite warm fermentations and maturation in new barrels (from Tonnellerie Radoux) in a cellar that fluctuates in temperature according to the seasons without temperature control. His belief is that, as he puts it, "the most original wines are paradoxically also the most traditional."

Above all, Mitjavile abhors primary, monolithic wines, instead admiring aromatic complexity and textural sensuality; and Tertre Roteboeuf exemplifies these priorities with its rich aromas that unite ultra-ripe but always surprisingly vibrant fruit notes with a rich patina of secondary and tertiary nuances. Their aging trajectory can be as unique as their style: sometimes vintages that seem tired are given new life a decade later, and while Tertre Roteboeuf often seems quite mature and young, it often seems unusually youthful when it is old. The Mitjavile family also owns Domaine de Cambes and Roc de Cambes on the right bank. As with Tertre Roteboeuf, wine is made here with priority given to fruit expression and harmonious freshness.

The Le Tertre Roteboeuf 2019 is a great wine from the Mitjaville family. We think this, but it is also confirmed by the wine critics with nothing but high ratings. The wine floats out of the glass with aromas of cassis, blackberry and cherry mixed with notes of violet. cigar box, sweet herbs and loam soil. Full, layered and concentrated, with a deep core of fruit, velvety tannins and lively acidity, which will richly reward a decade or more of bottle aging. Vinous writes in his review: "....It is very finely tuned, almost Burgundy-like"

FACT: In the 'Attachments' tab you will find the official fact sheet of this beautiful wine. We will send this to you automatically when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and when you pick up the wine you will often receive a nice discount . You will see your discount immediately when you choose 'Collect' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht almost next to the A16 with plenty of parking. Click here for our address.