Chateau du Tertre 2016
With its history dating back to 1143, the estate was originally known as Tertre d'Arsac because it was a large hill in Arsac. There has been many owners spanning the thousand year history of the estate but one of the more notable is Pierre Mitchell. He was a glass blower and in the 1700, some of Chateau Du Tertre was estate bottled thanks to his ability to make glass bottles. This is hundreds of years before other wineries started estate bottling. There was another long string of owners without anything important to note. In 1961 Philippe Gasqueton purchased the estate. He was the owner of Chateau Calon Segur in St. Estephe. He replanted the estate and modernized the wine making facilities. Upon his death in 1995. his widow sold the estate to Eric and Louise Jelgersma who own Chateau Giscours. The 2 properties are separated by a small stream.
The vineyard area extends approximately 50 hectares consisting of the grape varieties of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, with vines averaging about 35 years.
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Wine Spectator: 93
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Fresh damson plum, bitter cherry and savory notes are seamlessly layered together, with fresh tobacco and a flash of iron checking in on the pure, silky, persistent finish, where the slightly high-pitched fruit plays out nicely. Best from 2021 through 2032.
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Wine Advocate: 90
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Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 du Tertre features cassis, red plums and spice box on the nose with herbs and earth nuances. The palate is medium-bodied, lean and soft with an earthy finish.
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Decanter: 92
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Powerful, intense and concentrated, those tannins are big in quantity and quality. This is a sombre, intellectual wine in the way that many 2016s are. It has a good texture of silky black fruits through the palate, suggesting this will age well, while a white pepper crescendo gives a spicy kick on the finish. 5% Petit Verdot completes the blend, with the wine aged in 50% new oak.
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Wine Enthusiast: 94
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Partnered with Château Giscours as far as the winemaking team is concerned, this estate has created its own style. This wine shows a hint of initial austerity before opening out with rich fruits and structure. It needs time and the wine will not be ready to drink before 2025.
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Vinous: 92
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The 2016 du Tertre is soft, pliant and quite expressive. Sweet red cherry, white pepper, herbs, iron and smoke give the wine its distinctive savory personality. The 2016 is medium in body, yet offers lovely depth and midpalate pliancy. Floral notes and bright acids add freshness on a finish supported by firm tannins and creamy, expansive fruit. The 2016 is a terrific du Tertre. Tasted two times.
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James Suckling: 94
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Extremely deep and ripe on the nose with dried-berry, chocolate and plum aromas that follow through to a full body, round and soft tannins and a flavorful finish. A rich and soft-tannin structure to the wine. Try after 2024.
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Jeb Dunnuck: 90
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An outstanding Margaux with its classic perfume of sweet red fruits, dried flowers, balsam wood, and spice, the 2016 Château du Tertre is medium-bodied, elegant, and seamless on the palate. This is one of those wines that grows on you with time in the glass, and while it plays in the elegant, pretty end of the spectrum, it has wonderful fruit. It should keep nicely for 15 years or so.
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