Château du Tertre, 5ème Cru Classé, Margaux, 2022

The blend of the 2022 du Tertre is 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, a fairly typical blend for the property these days, the fruits coming from the slopes on the tertre on which the château sits, and it accounts for about half of production (not including third and fourth wines I should say). The élevage was in 60% new oak, the rest second-fill oak, with about 16 months in barrel blending. The aromatics here are charming, fragrant and elegant, with dark red cherry, smoked and lightly dried, with a cranberry touch and a lightly minty edge, all somewhat brooding, with a hint of perfumed bark, fine leather and oak. The palate is fresh, a touch loose, elegant with dark berry and red cherry fruits like the nose, with a polished, leathery, and a lightly toasted character. An elegant du Tertre, this seems coherent and evidently more convincing than some other vintages I have tasted over the last decade. It finishes long, lightly gripped and filled with peppery energy. A property on the up, for sure. The alcohol on the label is 14%. Tasted three times.

DRINKING WINDOW 2027 - 2039

date of review 06/2025

Medium to full intensity, leans into the vintage and shows a richer profile than it did En Primeur, when this depth of tannic power was fairly closed in. Black pepper spice, rosebud, peony, raspberry leaf, slate, sage, espresso and cocoa bean, this is a great quality du Tertre, with lift and concentration through the palate, understated finesse and it feels like it's going to go the distance. 60% new oak, Helfrich family. Single point upgrade.

DRINKING WINDOW 2028 - 2042

date of review 03/2025

The 2022 Château du Tertre has a slightly smudged nose compared to its peers. It's not as well defined as the Dauzac that I tasted before. That said, there are still quite precocious black cherry and blueberry scents to savor. The palate is medium-bodied, ripe and quite decadent with tarry black fruit tones, though the finish has sufficient freshness to keep it on track. This is a good choice if you like a more hedonistic Margaux.

DRINKING WINDOW 2029 - 2055

date of review 02/2025