Tertre Roteboeuf, St Emilion Grand Cru 2010

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 Tertre-Rôteboeuf has an exquisite bouquet: very intense with well defined black fruit, touches of cooked meat and dried herbs and what feels like a touch of Cabernet Franc even though there is none in the blend! The palate is smooth and silky, voluptuous and sensual to the touch with lush Merlot dominating the finish.