Chateau Tertre Roteboeuf, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2009

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. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting.

(an 80/20 blend of merlot and cabernet franc) Pretty medium ruby-red color. Captivating, drop-dead gorgeous nose conveys extremely pure and intense aromas of red berries, cinnamon, minerals, cedar and mirabelle, all lifted by a delicate smoky nuance: grand cru Burgundy made in Bordeaux Then silky-smooth on the palate, with a busload of red fruit flavors (fresh raspberry, red cherry syrup, redcurrant jelly) complicated by sweet spice and mineral notes. Harmonious acids somehow keep this very rich, hedonistic wine light and lively on the palate, and draw out the finish. The sexy and extremely sweet red berry flavors resonate long and loud on the utterly silky back end. This is so charming and expressive today that I wonder how many bottles of this elixir will make it to a ripe old age.

(an 80/20 blend of merlot and cabernet franc) Pretty medium ruby-red color. Captivating, drop-dead gorgeous nose conveys extremely pure and intense aromas of red berries, cinnamon, minerals, cedar and mirabelle, all lifted by a delicate smoky nuance: grand cru Burgundy made in Bordeaux Then silky-smooth on the palate, with a busload of red fruit flavors (fresh raspberry, red cherry syrup, redcurrant jelly) complicated by sweet spice and mineral notes. Harmonious acids somehow keep this very rich, hedonistic wine light and lively on the palate, and draw out the finish. The sexy and extremely sweet red berry flavors resonate long and loud on the utterly silky back end. This is so charming and expressive today that I wonder how many bottles of this elixir will make it to a ripe old age.