2009 Tertre Roteboeuf
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Tasting notes
Deep ruby-plum in colour, and the aromatics are an expressive swirl of sweet damson, baked spices, smoked caramel, melted tannins, just so good, it jumps out of the glass. A touch of bitterness on the finish that rounds out and balances the exuberance of the red and black fruits. Waves of orange zest, gourmet black truffle, mocha and rose peal edging. A fascinating vintage here, where the fermentation continued through winter, finishing only in March, testament to the steady nerves of owner François Mitjavile. 100% new oak. Even better than last time I tasted two years ago.
Critic scores
Average Score
Decanter
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Always a treat to taste Tertre Rotebeouf, one of the true cult wines of Bordeaux, and as ever with this wine, you will find some muscular, exhuberant fruit along with edges of smoked caramel and sharper mandarin peel that is a great example of an exuberant vintage on the clay-limestone slopes of St Emilion. The texture is arresting, slow-moving slate and pummice that keeps you rooted to the spot.
The 2009 Le Tertre-Rôteboeuf has a classically styled nose in the context of the vintage, almost Left Bank in style with touches of pencil box infusing the brambly red berry fruit. There is just a distant tang of autumn bonfire. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity, quite tight and structured with a light peppery, cedar-tinged finish that lingers impressively in the mouth. Tasted several times before, this remains an outstanding Saint-Émilion from François Mitjavile. (NM)