CHATEAU LE TERTRE-ROTEBOEUF Grand Cru Saint-Emilion 2015 Bottle

Description

Tertre-Roteboeuf lies 2km southeast of Saint-Émilion on a very special, peninsular extension of the slope which houses Châteaux Pavie and Larcis-Ducasse. This extends to a hillock, the hauts de côte, with the slopes beneath, pleines côtes, which encompasses the lieu-dit Roteboeuf. A mere 6 hectares in size, the rise to fame of Tertre-Roteboeuf from relative obscurity has been dramatic. Even without a grand cru classé title, it is one of Saint-Émilion’s cult wines.

The vineyard has an average age of 40 years, planted with 6000-7000 vines per hectare, 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Both varieties are picked at optimum ripeness and, where possible, have extended hang time. At Tertre-Roteboeuf, the clime is generally maritime but with noticeable continental influences, for example, there can be periods of intense heat. The soil consists of very rich clay over limestone, which is very slow to warm up in spring, ensuring the the grape will never ripen early.

*****

THE WINE ADVOCATE 98+ points
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Drink Date: 2020 - 2050
The 2015 Le Tertre Roteboeuf is deep garnet-purple in color with a gorgeous nose of baked cherries, warm plums, crème de cassis and mulberries with touches of rare beef, violets, mocha, Chinese five spice and fertile loam. Full-bodied, rich, spicy and with firm, grainy tannins, it has seamless freshness and a very long, spicy finish. This is wonderfully seamless and harmonious.