Château du Tertre 2016

Chateau du Tertre 2016: a Margaux with crunchy tannins

A Fifth Classified Growth of 1855, the Chateau du Tertre is a red wine produced in the Margaux appellation. The 52-hectare vineyard grows in soils consisting of Garonne gravel and sands of glacial origins. Chateau du Tertre is aged in French oak barrels (50% new wood) for an average of 12 to 15 months. The 2016 vintage is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot.

The Chateau du Tertre 2016 develops a harmonious bouquet combining fruity blueberry and raspberry aromas with more flinty mineral notes. On the palate, there is quite a saline attack with crisp tannins. The finish is rather classic, which reveals mineral touches.

Wine Advocate-Parker :
The 2016 Du Tertre is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot picked from 27 September until 19 October. Estate manager Alexandre van Peek told me that this represents one of the highest levels of Cabernet Sauvignon in recent years. Matured in 35% new oak, it has a harmonious bouquet with pure blackberry, raspberry and mineral scents that are neat and well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin, quite saline on the entry, understated at first, but gaining weight in the mouth and delivering a precise and minerally, classic Margaux finish. All it's missing is the persistence on the finish. It just seems to rush out the exit door before you've really gotten to know it. Hopefully it will develop that side during barrel maturation.