2008 Château Tertre Roteboeuf

Tasted blind. Deep blackish ruby. Sweet, mellow Merlot nose with some spice, interest and distinction. Not exactly dense but offers lots of pleasure. (JR)

The 2008 Le Tertre-Rôteboeuf, now at ten years old, still appears youthful in the glass with little sign of maturation on the rim. The bouquet is similarly surprisingly backward with tightly wound black fruit laced with Earl Grey and subtle autumn leaf aromas, all very well defined. With continued aeration it reveals iris and light peaty scents. The palate is very fresh on the entry with firm tannin. There is a mass to this Saint Émilion that fills the mouth, but there is also striking mineralité...you can feel that limestone after the wine has departed. Yes, there is sinew embroidered into this wine and therefore it will require another four to five years in bottle, but there is so much potential here, one of the best wines of the appellation. Chapeau François Mitjavile. (NM)

Interesting nose with hints of curry spices. Very sweet start and then very opulent. But good tannin management. No excessive dryness. Really quite flashy and appealing. Long and fleshy. Massively alcoholic but reasonably well balanced. Some freshness on the finish. (JR)