2021 Château Tertre Roteboeuf

Medium ruby and based on 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, brought up in new barrels, the 2021 Château Tertre Rôteboeuf has a beautiful perfume of mostly red fruits (redcurrants, framboise) as well as smoked tobacco, leather, spice, and white chocolate nuances. It's medium-bodied, has a supple, layered, elegant mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. This is a wine that offers pleasure today yet will nevertheless evolve gracefully on its overall balance, elegance, and charm.

The 2021 Tertre-Rôteboeuf has gained some intensity since tasting it from barrel. Well-defined black cherries, iodine, violet and light graphite notes emanate from the 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. The palate is medium-bodied with a svelte opening, very harmonious with fine depth. Again, as I wrote out of barrel, it is a “ gourmand ” Saint-Émilion with a nicely structured, slightly savory finish. Excellent.

The 2021 Tertre-Rôteboeuf is a dark, sensual wine. Deceptive in its mid-weight feel, the 2021 is wonderfully persistent and nuanced from start to finish. Kirsch, sweet spice, tobacco, mint, dried flowers, mocha, rose petal and cinnamon are all beautifully delineated. The 2021 was bottled just a few months before this tasting. My impression is that it is still recovering from bottle shock. As always, Tertre-Rôteboeuf is distinguished by its thrilling inner perfume, sweetness and overall character.