The 2019 Tertre-Rôteboeuf has an intriguing bouquet that requires some time to open in the glass, revealing a mixture of red and black fruit, enticing scents of melted tar and black truffle, and a touch of licorice, the latter becoming more and more noticeable with aeration. The medium-bodied palate delivers pliant tannins, sensual, slightly savory red fruit mixed with white pepper, sage and red peppercorns, and a touch of tobacco on the finish. This fans out wonderfully, lingering long in the mouth. Superb.

The 2019 Tertre-Rôteboeuf is a wine of breeding and gravitas that is going to need a number of years to come into its own. Today, it is tight and unyielding, with swaths of tannin that frame a core of intense fruit. Hints of red cherry jam, blood orange, spice, mint and rose petal open up with a bit of air, but only reluctantly. A Saint-Émilion of stunning beauty, the 2019 Tertre-Rôteboeuf is shaping up to be one of the highlights of the vintage.

Tasted blind. Some evolution at the rim. Very obviously Tertre with its opulence and full-blown character on the nose. So soft yet almost unspittable in its appeal – with the rich floral nature plus a bit of dry spice – cumin? Full marks for providing something outside the norm, even if it’s not the most refreshing! (JR)

80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc. Barrel sample. Touch of reduction but also some compelling dark fruit, chocolate and liquorice notes. Rich but a little subdued on the palate, the fruit seductive but less aromatic than usual. Freshness of the vintage apparent. Firm, slightly hard finish. As with Roc de Cambes in need of racking. Provisional score. (JL)