2019 Les Hauts du Tertre

The second wine of Château du Tertre in Margaux, the 2019 Les Hauts Du Terte checks in as 45% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot. This spicy, red and black fruited, and cedary beauty is medium-bodied, has a plush, rounded texture, good overall balance and freshness, and a great finish.

The 2019 Les Hauts du Tertre is an alluring second wine. Deep on the palate, with striking depth and complexity, Les Hauts is absolutely delicious. The aromatics are especially present and give quite a bit of lift to the red berry fruit. This is one of the best editions I can remember tasting of Les Hauts du Tertre. My tasting with General Manager Alexander Van Beek and Estate Manager Lorenzo Pasquini was one of the highlights of several weeks of the Zoom calls all of us will remember from this very particular campaign. At du Tertre, Van Beek and Pasquini have overseen a major redevelopment of about 65% of the property in favor of higher density vineyards. The wines have at times been a bit light, especially in the mid-palate, but the 2019s are quite successful in that regard, in all regards actually. Cuvaison was 21 days at a cool 24 degrees Celcius. Eric Boissenot is the consulting oenologist. Needless to say, it will be fascinating to see what future vintages bring.