Appellations

Tertre (Margaux) 2019

Margaux, Fifth Growth

GBP Price: Size Quantities Units status Actions
Tasting Notes

The 2019 Château du Tertre has a light blackberry, gravelly nose that needs a little more oomph. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, a bit soft and smudged, an easygoing and early-drinking Margaux that should give a decade of drinking pleasure (as long as you can abide it being a bit rough around the edges). This vindicates my previous criticisms of this Margaux, though better times lie ahead. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.

Score: 86 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2024-2033 Date: 01 February 2023

The 2019 Château du Tertre was so perplexing in barrel that I couldn’t give a score. Since then, the Helfrich family, owners of Grands Chai de France, have acquired the estate. Now in bottle, the 2019 has a generous nose of truffle and clove-tinged black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, a little dry and somewhat green on the finish. I find this disappointing, but hopefully the new ownership can restore this Margaux’s fortunes.

Score: 85 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Date: 01 February 2022

The 2019 Château du Tertre was tasted from four bottles and to be frank, I could not make head nor tail of it. The first pair feels rather high toned on the nose and disjointed on the palate. Samples were kindly dispatched from the château. These sports a marine-influenced bouquet more in line with expectations, albeit less intense than I hoped. The palate needs time to come together: black fruit laced with white pepper, a fine bead of acidity and fresh. I am seeking more substance and complexity on the finish. I will reserve judgement for now.

Score: - Neal Martin, Vinous.com Date: 01 June 2020

The 2019 du Tertre is powerful and virile, just as it was en primeur. Black cherry, graphite, smoke, tobacco, licorice, incense and crushed rocks lend notable complexity to this decidedly brooding, potent Margaux. I have always wondered if du Tertre, which is always a bit monolithic, can be more. The château is under new ownership, so perhaps we will find out.

Score: 92 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2027-2039 Date: 01 February 2022

The 2019 du Tertre is dark, virile and imposing, but in the mid-weight style that is typical of this property., Black cherry, plum, spice, new leather, licorice and dried flowers meld together as the 2019 shows off its depth and resonance. Readers will find a wine with real character and gravitas in the 2019. My tasting with General Manager Alexander Van Beek and Estate Manager Lorenzo Pasquini was one of the highlights of several weeks of the Zoom calls all of us will remember from this very particular campaign. At du Tertre, Van Beek and Pasquini have overseen a major redevelopment of about 65% of the property in favor of higher density vineyards. The wines have at times been a bit light, especially in the mid-palate, but the 2019s are quite successful in that regard, in all regards actually. Cuvaison was 21 days at a cool 24 degrees Celcius. Eric Boissenot is the consulting oenologist. Needless to say, it will be fascinating to see what future vintages bring.

Score: 92 - 94 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Date: 01 June 2020

Plump, well placed fruit sets the scene from the get go. Silky, well controlled and delivered tannins, still get a kick of smoky oak but this is enjoyable and makes an impression.

Score: 92 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2027-2044 Date: 12 January 2022

A beautifully elegant and expressive Margaux that has sappy fruit with clear salinity and minerality on the finish. Pretty serious in its structure but subtly so, it takes its time to unfurl and has an upward lift through the palate. Violet rim to the colour and the austerity speaks to energy that will help power it to long life. 6% Petit Verdot completes the blend.

Score: 92 Jane Anson, Decanter.com Maturity: 2027-2042 Date: 25 May 2020

The Grand Vin 2019 Château Du Tertre checks in as 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot. This beautiful Margaux offers awesome notes of black raspberries, crushed flowers, sandalwood, spice, and a touch of bouquet garni. With medium to full-bodied richness, polished tannins, and a great finish, it's certainly the finest wine I've tasted from this domaine. It's going to evolve nicely over the coming two decades.

Score: 92 - 94 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Maturity: 2020-2040 Date: 11 June 2020

A fantastic du Tertre with blackberries and blueberries. Very pure fruit character in general. Stone and tea undertones. It’s full-bodied with a tight, focused tannin backbone. Excellent structure. One of the best ever from here. So precise. A blend of 54% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot, 13% cabernet franc and 6% petit verdot.

Score: 95 - 96 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 02 June 2020