Chateau Tertre Roteboeuf, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2012

The 2012 Tertre-Roteboeuf is without question one of the wines of the vintage. Remarkably vivid for such a big, super-ripe wine, the 2012 boasts superb nuance and delineation from start to finish. Dense, powerful and explosive, the 2012 is a real head-turner, but it is also going to need at least a few years to shed some baby fat. Still, the 2012 is impressive, even today. With time in the glass the aromas open up and tannins soften a touch, both indications of what is in store for those who can wait. The October 10 harvest was very much in line with the norm here. Tertre-Rôteboeuf is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The 2012 spent 18 months in 100% new French oak barrels.

The 2012 Tertre Rôteboeuf has fine delineation on the nose with raspberry, blackberry and Seville orange marmalade, a hint of peppermint emerging with time. A little Grenache-like maybe? The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy, ripe red fruit laced with mint, maybe a little drying towards the finish and lacking the complexity of the aromatics? As such, it just finishes on a slight down note. Tasted blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.

Full, deep ruby. Aromas of cassis, violet and black pepper, with a strong torrefaction component of coffee and chocolate. Enters the mouth bright and pure, then turns austere and tight, with dark berry and mocha flavors lingering nicely on the aftertaste. Mounting, rather tough tannins are somewhat softened by a repeating chocolatey note. In 2012, even Francois Mitjavile had trouble coaxing sweet, exotic ripeness from his grapes, but this classic Bordeaux will have its share of admirers.