Château du Tertre 2022
Full-bodied dry red wine · Château du Tertre is a historic estate located in the Margaux appellation of the Médoc, classified as a Fifth Growth (Cinquième Cru Classé) in the official Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. Owned for many years by the Albada Jelgersma family (who also own Château Giscours), the estate was recently acquired in 2021 by the Hébrard family (former owners of Château Cheval Blanc). The producer is renowned for crafting classically styled, elegant, and aromatic Margaux wines that emphasize perfume and finesse over sheer power.
Vintage: 2022
Type
Full-bodied dry red wine
Producer
Château du Tertre is a historic estate located in the Margaux appellation of the Médoc, classified as a Fifth Growth (Cinquième Cru Classé) in the official Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. Owned for many years by the Albada Jelgersma family (who also own Château Giscours), the estate was recently acquired in 2021 by the Hébrard family (former owners of Château Cheval Blanc). The producer is renowned for crafting classically styled, elegant, and aromatic Margaux wines that emphasize perfume and finesse over sheer power.
Country
France
Vintage
2022
Region & Appellation
Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux AOC
Grape Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Color & Appearance
Deep ruby-purple with a youthful violet rim, brilliant clarity, moderate to high viscosity with slow-moving legs that stain the glass.
Aroma Profile
A fragrant bouquet of ripe black cherries, cassis, and fresh blackberries, complemented by floral notes of violets, graphite, subtle cedarwood, and delicate vanilla spice.
Tasting Notes
An initial palate impression of lush black fruits and floral perfume transitions into a structured mid-palate with velvety tannins and vibrant acidity. The finish is long, harmonious, and laced with lingering notes of dark berries, sweet tobacco, and fine minerality.
Flavor Profile
Dominated by core flavors of black currant, ripe plum, and wild blackberry, layered with complex secondary notes of fresh herbs, cigar box, wet gravel, and integrated French oak spice.
Body & Texture
Full-bodied with a silken, supple texture and a luxurious mouthfeel that balances rich concentration with remarkable elegance and poise.
Acidity & Tannins
Medium-plus acidity provides refreshing lift and balance to the rich fruit profile, supported by fine-grained, ripe, and beautifully integrated tannins characteristic of the Margaux appellation.
Sweetness Level
Bone dry
Alcohol Content
13.5% to 14.0% ABV
Aging & Oak
Aged for approximately 12 to 18 months in French oak barrels, with a significant proportion of new oak, which imparts subtle notes of toast, vanilla, and fine wood smoke while preserving the purity of the fruit.
Food Pairings
Classic pairings include roast rack of lamb, prime ribeye steak, beef tenderloin with a red wine reduction, and roasted duck breast, alongside artisanal hard cheeses like aged Comté or Cheddar.
Serving Suggestions
Serve at 16-18°C (60-64°F) in a large Bordeaux glass. Decanting for 1 to 2 hours is recommended to allow the wine's aromatic complexity to fully unfold. Best enjoyed from 2028 through 2045.
Price Range
$50 - $80 USD
Quality Assessment
Estimated 92-94 points, representing a super-premium tier Fifth Growth Bordeaux that consistently delivers exceptional value and classic Margaux typicity, receiving high praise from major wine critics.
Production Methods
Hand-harvested grapes subjected to rigorous optical and manual sorting, fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel and concrete vats using parcel-by-parcel vinification, followed by traditional barrel aging and light fining before bottling.
Terroir
One of the highest points in the Médoc at nearly 28 meters, featuring deep gravel, sand, and clay soils that provide exceptional natural drainage and heat retention, fostering ideal ripening conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
History & Heritage
The history of Château du Tertre dates back to the 12th century, with vineyards established as early as 1736. It achieved official recognition as a Fifth Cru Classé in the historic 1855 Bordeaux Classification and has undergone significant vineyard and cellar modernization in recent decades.
Interesting Facts
Château du Tertre is one of the few single-block estate vineyards in the Médoc, meaning its 52 hectares of vines surround the château in one continuous piece, contributing to a unique and unified terroir expression.
Cellaring Potential
Excellent cellaring potential. While approachable with decanting in its youth, it will safely evolve and improve over 15 to 25 years, reaching its peak maturity between 2032 and 2045.
Similar Wines
Château Giscours, Château Cantenac Brown, Château d'Issan, and Château Prieuré-Lichine