85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc
The 2019 Le Tertre Roteboeuf is a terrific success from the Mitjaville family. This amphitheatrical vineyard on the clay-limestone slopes of Saint-Laurent-des-Combes, planted with low, cordon-trained vines, has delivered a striking wine that wafts from the glass with aromas of cassis, blackberries and cherries mingled with notions of violets, cigar box, sweet spices and loamy soil. Full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with a deep core of fruit, velvety tannins and lively acids, it will richly reward a decade and more of bottle age. Interestingly, proprietor François Mitjaville contended that 2019's distribution of rainfall had tended to invert the usual stylistic distinction between Tertre Roteboeuf and Roc de Cambes, his wine from the Côtes de Bourg; yet, on the day of our tasting, geology trumped weather, because as usual the former was more sensual, the latter blockier and more structured. Robert Parker
A big blast of black raspberries, truffle, black plums, black cherries, chocolate, licorice, earth, and spice in the nose and on the lusciously textured, powerful, full, rich palate. Long, expansive, mouth-filling, and packed with earthy, sweet, black raspberries with concentration, length, complexity, and a uniqueness of character that makes you want to know more about the wine, making you take sip after sip. Drink from 2025-2049. Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
The nose is elegant, harmonious, fresh and offers juicy fruit, nice expressive fruit, depth and a toasted side (in elegance). There are notes of fleshy / juicy blackberry (seduction limit of over-maturity), raspberry and more slightly small red fruits / crushed redcurrants associated with fine hints of Quetsche plum, cocoa, camphor, with a subtle hint of pepper, a discreet hint of roasted oak as well as a subtle hint of sweet blond tobacco and zan (in the background). The palate is fruity, balanced, elegant and offers juiciness, pulpiness, gourmandize, fullness, a tangy frame, fleshy with finesse as well as richness in mastery (and all in thoroughness). Lots of gourmandize and a pretty charming side, ample and voluminous but very graceful. On the palate this wine expresses notes of pulpy / bright blackberry, pulpy / bright raspberry and more slightly of fairly ripe small blue fruits associated with touches of caramelization, graphite, chocolate, toasted almond as well as a subtle hint of black tea, morello cherry and a hint of vanilla. Presence of an imperceptible almost sage tip in the background. Tannins are elegant, mellow and sapid. A beautiful, gourmand and persistent finish. Chewiness and flavor on the finish. Presence of a hint of cocoa and caramelization on the persistence. VertdeVin
