The 2019 du Tertre is powerful and virile, just as it was en primeur. Black cherry, graphite, smoke, tobacco, licorice, incense and crushed rocks lend notable complexity to this decidedly brooding, potent Margaux. I have always wondered if du Tertre, which is always a bit monolithic, can be more. The château is under new ownership, so perhaps we will find out.

The 2019 Château du Tertre has a light blackberry, gravelly nose that needs a little more oomph. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, a bit soft and smudged, an easygoing and early-drinking Margaux that should give a decade of drinking pleasure (as long as you can abide it being a bit rough around the edges). This vindicates my previous criticisms of this Margaux, though better times lie ahead. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.