19 May 2022

Released this morning, the wines of Francois Mitjavile are so unique that it should come as no surprise that he has found a way to outstrip himself in the 2021 vintage, despite the challenges of the weather, even making 100% grand vin, (when many other estates preserved quality by limiting the production of their first wine).  Neal Martin describes 2021 Château Le Tertre Rôteboeuf as "an absolute stunner...one of the most energetic Tertre-Rôteboeufs that I have encountered" (94-96 points), with Galloni awarding the same score, commenting "This is just the sort of vintage that François Mitjaville excels in". 

Mitjavile was in even more articulate form than usual when we visited this year, holding forth on all manner of subjects, but among them was the quality of his 2003 vintage (which we tasted, concurring) and of his 1991, which as one might imagine is now very difficult to find.  No wonder, then, that in a vintage with much more inherent promise such as 2021 he was able to take advantage of the long ripening season to develop wonderful aromatic complexity and complex, layered flavours on the palate.  In previous vintages we have referred to his wines possessing an intense, wildly aromatic Pinot Noir-like quality to the nose, versus an often opulent blueberry and blackberry fruit concentration on the palate and that holds true in these latest releases.

Visiting Le Tertre Rôteboeuf is like being transported to an ancient, mould-lined cellar in the Côte de Nuits.  The estate has been in the family since the '60s but it was Francois who made its name, learning his trade at Figeac in the early '70s.  His first vintage was in 1978 and by the '89 vintage the reputation of this 6 hectare estate was established alongside the best in St-Émilion. 

Farmed organically, Le Tertre Rôteboeuf is geographically close to Troplong Mondot and Pavie, but a world away in style. The etymology of the name derives from the days when the land was used for cattle grazing, and broadly translates as 'the hill of the belching beef'.  

The cool soils here slow the ripening process and this is routinely one of the last estates to finish harvest.  Training the Merlot and Cabernet Franc vines close to the ground (see picture above) maximises the warmth radiated from the soil at the end of the ripening season.  This contributes to the silky, glycerin texture on the palate and aromatic complexity, particularly from the Cabernet Franc.

Landing spring 2024.

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Producer Profile

Château Le Tertre Rôteboeuf

Visiting Le Tertre Rôteboeuf is like being transported to an ancient, mould-lined cellar in the Côte de Nuits.  The estate has been in the family since the '60s but it was Francois who made its name, learning his trade at Figeac in the early '70s.  His first vintage was in 1978 and by the '89 vintage the reputation of this 6 hectare estate was established alongside the best in St-Émilion. 

Farmed organically, Le Tertre Rôteboeuf is geographically close to Troplong Mondot and Pavie, but a world away in style. The etymology of the name derives from the days when the land was used for cattle grazing, and broadly translates as 'the hill of the belching beef'.  

The cool soils here slow the ripening process and this is routinely one of the last estates to finish harvest.  Training the Merlot and Cabernet Franc vines close to the ground (see picture above) maximises the warmth radiated from the soil at the end of the ripening season.  This contributes to the silky, glycerin texture on the palate and aromatic complexity, particularly from the Cabernet Franc.

Roc de Cambes was acquired in 1988, in part because the terroir (clay and limestone) was so similar to Le Tertre Roteboeuf.  The wines exhibit the same Mitjavile magic, with a unique texture and aromatic complexity.  The 14 hectares of vines form a natural amphitheater overlooking the Gironde, on the slopes which form the best terroir in the Côtes de Bourg, 'les Croutes'.  Domaine de Cambes is also made at the estate, but with the addition of some fruit from outside of the domaine.  Always excellent value, it really gives Roc de Cambes a run for its money this year.