2005 Chateau du Tertre 5eme Cru Classe, Margaux

This attractive deep ruby/plum/purple wine is supple, with notes of loamy soil, earth, underbrush and black and red currants. Very fragrant and medium-bodied, with relatively sweet tannin, this wine should continue to drink well for another 10-15+ years.

Even in the highly acclaimed 2005 vintage, Du Tertre remains under most consumer’s radar. Made by essentially the same winemaking team as Giscours, this cuvee exhibits a dense purple color, followed by earthy, truffle, smoky blackberry, floral, and cassis aromas. It is a beautifully pure, medium to full-bodied wine with abundant but sweet tannin, fine opulence, a multilayered texture, and a long finish that is neither aggressive nor astringent. Cellar it for another 3-4 years, and consume it over the following 20-25.

The first thing to notice is that the Château du Tertre 2005 demonstrates a surprising and rather vexing bricking on the rim. The nose is ripe and candied with red berry fruit, hints of fig and Xmas cake, quite animally and almost Rhône-like. The palate is medium-bodied with soft and supple tannin. This is very approachable, smooth in the mouth with red cherries, cranberry, fig and damson. Not a bad 2005 but I worry that this is maturing too rapidly within the context of the vintage and its peers.

Mature ruby; fresh, sweet, early bouquet; a lovely balance, medium full, fresh, subtly tannic; sweet cored, lively flavour, of some complexity and a nice length; very nice middle rank Margaux, deliciously succulent and appetizing already, but probably with a decade in hand. Now-25

Mid ruby. Relatively light with some stony character on the nose. Racy and lively but a little bit of ersatz sweetness. Not exactly a classic wine. Tannins in evidence on the finish. Just a bit gawky and simple. (JR)