Tertre Rôteboeuf 2001

The 2001 Tertre-Rôteboeuf has an exquisite bouquet that vies for attention after the 2000. Extremely pure and featuring maraschino cherries, cassis, honey, incense and crushed rose petals, this gains complexity with every swirl of the glass. The palate is silky-smooth with maybe just a little more backbone than the previous vintage, and a touch more depth and harmony. Blacker fruit surfaces toward the finish, completing an absolutely delicious, irresistible 20-year-old Tertre-Rôteboeuf.

This open, flattering, surprisingly loosely knit 2001 is seamless, seductive, and hedonistic. A dark plum/ruby color is followed by aromas of fudge, mocha, caramel, and sweet black cherries. Although it lacks some structure as well as depth, it is a delicious, nearly flamboyant St.-Emilion to enjoy over the next 7-10 years.

Showing a little more maturity than its peers, this has a very forward bouquet that is showing secondary aromas of mocha, leather, hickory and sage. I suspect there is good level of Cabernet Franc in this wine? The palate is full-bodied with a luscious entry, decadent red-berried fruit such as raspberry and pomegranate with hints of leather and bacon fat towards the almost Rhone-like animally entry. Undeniably it is very well-balanced and full of character and when I found out it was Mon. Mitjavile’s wine...no surprise! Tasted March 2011.