2017 Les Hauts du Tertre
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Tasting notes
The 2017 Les Hauts du Tertre is perfumed and gracious in 2017, with lovely aromatic lift to match its mid-weight personality. Crushed flowers, dried herbs, mint, sage and smoke add layers of nuance to this decidedly airy Margaux.
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 2017 Les Hauts du Tertre, sporting a new label since the 2015 vintage, represents 30% of the crop from younger vines. It has a clean, nicely defined, slightly herbaceous nose that nevertheless has good vigor, reminiscent of a lovely “old school” Claret. There is nothing wrong with that. The palate is medium-bodied with light tannin, tarry black fruit laced with pencil lead, with an easy-drinking finish suggesting that corks should be popped over the next two or three years.
75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc. 20% new oak. 12 months in barrel. Dark greyish crimson. Very Cabernet on the nose – cassis and graphite and a nice dusty character. Savoury dark cassis on the palate, nicely balanced in a lightish weight but with plenty of freshness on the finish. (JH)
The 2017 Les Hauts du Tertre is a flavorful, expressive second wine. Scorched earth, smoke, new leather, licorice and tobacco add nuance to a core of juicy fruit. Soft, open-knit and quite giving, the 2017 will drink beautifully upon release. The blend is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, it includes a bit less Cabernet Franc than is typical. Production is down 37%.
About the producer
Until recently owned by the Albada Jelgersma family (along with Giscours), Ch. du Tertre is one of the oldest estates in the region – with a history stretching back 1,000 years. Classified as a Fifth Growth, its 54 hectares of vines sit on high gravel outcrops in Margaux.