2002 Tertre Roteboeuf

Dense but shaded crimson. Sweet, and low-level TCA on the nose plus very sweet oak. Fruit denuded on the palate though it could have been quite good with out the TCA. (JR)

Good bright ruby-red. Aromas of black raspberry, black cherry, pepper, licorice and Cuban tobacco. Then considerably drier than the 2003 and 2004 and not particularly vibrant today. In a very closed stage. Finishes with substantial tongue-drying tannins.

Fresh, dark red, a bit more ruby than the 2003. Sappy aromas of toasted black raspberry and black licorice; also showing signs of surmaturite Then supple and sweetly oaky in the mouth, with flavors of red fruits, chocolate and coffee. A bit bony today, showing less density but more verve than the 2003. Still a tad hard on the back end; Mitjavile told me he planned to fine the wine with egg whites to smooth out its rough edges. "If you take off the rude tannins that hide the fruit, the wine will seem more ample," he told me, explaining why he, as well as others in the Bordeaux region, prefer fining to filtration.