2022 Chateau du Tertre Margaux Grand Cru Classé

• "Firm And Focused. Racy And Long Finish." ~96 JS
• "One Of The Finest Du Tertre In Decades" ~Wine Advocate
• Crafted From A Historic Thousand-Year-Old Estate
• "A New Paradigm for Bordeaux" 95-98 Point Vintage ~WS
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About the Wine

The Chateau du Tertre is a thousand-year-old estate whose vineyard, stretching over 52 hectares, remains unchanged since 1855. During the 19th Century, the Chateau de Tertre wines rose to worldwide fame, especially thanks to the 1855 classification which established the Chateau as a Margaux Grand Cru Classe (5th Growth). 1n 1997, a Dutch businessman, Eric Albada Jelgersma bought the estate and invested in the large-scale overall restructuring, thus returning its former noble personality to the Chateau du Tertre.

Located in the Margaux appellation of Bordeaux’s Left Bank, Château du Tertre benefits from an exceptional terroir. The vineyard sits on a gentle rise—referred to as a “tertre” in French—composed of deep gravel and sand, providing ideal drainage and warmth for optimal grape ripening. Its proximity to the Gironde estuary and surrounding forests creates a unique microclimate, adding freshness and complexity to the wines.

Since its acquisition by the Helfrich family in 2021, the estate has continued its commitment to meticulous vineyard management, including hand-harvesting and a transition toward biodynamic farming. The winemaking process at Château du Tertre is rooted in precision, with vinification carried out in a mix of wooden, concrete, and stainless-steel vats, followed by aging in French oak barrels to enhance depth and refinement.

The 2022 Château du Tertre exemplifies the estate’s signature elegance and structure. This Bordeaux blend—composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot—offers remarkable depth while maintaining finesse. The wine opens with aromas of dark berries, plums, and hints of liquorice, complemented by notes of tobacco, graphite, and floral undertones. Polished tannins and a supple texture create a harmonious balance, making this an age-worthy yet approachable Margaux.

2022 was an extraordinary vintage for Bordeaux, it was blessed with a 95-98 pt review by Wine Spectator who said: "A new paradigm for Bordeaux. Very aromatic and sleek, fresh and pure in feel, with all major varietals performing well; far more consistent than the 2018-2020 trio."

Aging: 18 months in 50% new French oak barrels.

Tasting Notes

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot. The 2022 Château du Tertre is a bold yet refined expression of Margaux, showcasing layers of dark berries, ripe plums, and cassis. Notes of liquorice, tobacco, and graphite add complexity, while hints of violets and smoked earth bring depth. On the palate, the wine is opulent and structured, with polished tannins and a supple texture. Aged for 18 months in 50% new French oak, it gains subtle touches of spice and vanilla, enhancing its richness without overpowering its elegance.

Critic Review

This is really clear and bright. Medium- to full-bodied with a solid tannin structure. Tight layers of phenolics to this. Racy and long finish. Firm and focused. 57% cabernet sauvignon, 23% cabernet franc, 15% merlot and 5% petit verdot. ~95-96 JS

The 2022 du Tertre unwinds in the glass with aromas of dark berries, plums, licorice, vine smoke, and petals, followed by a medium to the full-bodied, deep, and layered palate of uncommon depth and concentration that nevertheless retains all the estate's signature elegance. Polished and supple, it's a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, which more or less represents this estate's varietal breakdown after its extensive replanting program is complete. This looks likely to emerge as the finest du Tertre in several decades, and it is sure to be one of the better values of the en primeur campaign. ~92-94+ WA

A big, raw, exuberant, incredibly promising barrel sample, the 2022 Château Du Tertre reveals a vivid purple hue as well as full-bodied aromas and flavors of crème de cassis, spring flowers, and graphite. A blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot, this terrific Margaux has fine tannins, beautiful balance, and a great finish. The cellar will be your friend here. ~92-94 JD

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