2018 Château Tertre Roteboeuf Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

François Mitjavile, the philosophical gentleman farmer of Saint-Émilion, continues to produce some of Bordeaux’s most distinctive and characterful wines from his 5.6-hectare amphitheatre-shaped vineyard on the south-facing clay-limestone slopes of Saint-Laurent-de-Combes. A passionate and charismatic man who works differently from everyone else, François refuses to participate in the “Bordeaux circus,” as he calls it.

Mitjaville’s Merlot and Cabernet Franc fruits are cordon-pruned and trained almost impossibly low to the ground, and are harvested as late as possible, in a quest for what he describes as the “luxuriant breakdown” of the tannins. The vinification is in some ways rather old-fashioned, with fairly warm fermentations and maturation in new barrels (from Tonnellerie Radoux) in a cellar that fluctuates in temperature with the seasons, with no temperature control. His belief is that, as he puts it, “the most original wines are also, paradoxically, the most traditional.”

Above all, Mitjavile abhors primary, monolithic wines, instead admiring aromatic complexity and textural sensuality; and Tertre Roteboeuf exemplifies these priorities, with its rich aromas marrying ultra-ripe yet always surprisingly vibrant fruit notes with a rich patina of secondary and tertiary nuances. Their ageing trajectory can be as unique as their style: sometimes, vintages that seem tired can find new life a decade later, and while Tertre Roteboeuf often seems quite mature and young, it often seems unusually youthful when old. The Mitjavile family also owns Domaine de Cambes and Roc de Cambes on the Right Bank. As with Tertre Roteboeuf, the wine is made here with a priority on fruit expression and harmonious freshness.

The Le Tertre Roteboeuf is a great wine from the Mitjaville family. We think so, but it is also confirmed by the wine critics with nothing but high ratings. The wine bursts from the glass with aromas of cassis, blackberries and cherries mixed with notes of violets, cigar box, sweet spices and loam soil. Full, layered and concentrated, with a deep core of fruit, velvety tannins and lively acidity, which will richly reward a decade or more of bottle aging. Vinous writes in his review: "....As always, François Mitjavile crafts one of the most distinctive wines in all of Bordeaux."

FACT: The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will often also receive a nice discount . You will see your discount immediately when you choose 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht almost next to the A16 with plenty of parking. Click here for our address.