Chateau du Tertre 2010, Margaux 5th

word Du Tertre means 'of the soil'. On top of Arsac and gravelly site of the commune. The site is excellent; fruit quality is fine with the gravity method. Partial oak fermentation: The finish always has some weight and creaminess. There is 50% new oak; hence the nose is slightly shy. Nonetheless, there is ripe dark fruit with a whole of secondary richness(chocolaty, coffee, coconuts, vanilla). The floral element is obvious. Lightish yet the colour is dark, the style is easy to understand even though it has some nice complexities. The Giscours team made it. A very age-worthy vintage, 2010 wine tastes ripe, round, and begins to Drink well. Scores are high and consistent: 93RP, 93ST, 92WS, 92JS.

Parker et al. say,'The 2010 du Tertre soars out of the glass with blackberry, sous-bois and light mint aromas. Good definition here and nicely focused. The palate is medium-bodied with supple but quite firm tannins, a welcome sprinkling of cracked black pepper and an off-dry finish that feels long and persistent. Superb. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal. 2021 - 2045'.

Awarding it 93 points, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar writes: (a blend of 70% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot and 10% petit Verdot; 3.24 pH; 13.5% alcohol): Deep, fully saturated purple-ruby. Enticing nose of cassis, minerals, ink and aromatic herbs. Bright, clean and pure, with fresh, inky flavors of blackcurrant, cocoa, violet and minerals. Finishes long, with youthfully chewy but noble tannins and a repeating blackcurrant note. One of the best du Tertres in memory, but although I like this wine's very pure cassis and mineral aromas and flavors, I much prefer the exotic and flamboyant 2009 du Tertre because of its old-vine cabernet franc-derived floral perfume. (1/2012)

92 points Wine Enthusiast writes, 'Ripe, dense and smooth from wood aging, this is a modern view of Margaux. At the same time, it shows a beautiful black-currant flavor from the Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Petit Verdot adds great color. (2/2013)'

92 points Wine Spectator writes, "A plush and flattering style, with beguiling toast wound around a smoldering core of warm plum confiture, dark cherry and currant fruit, and buried hints of charcoal and espresso. Displays a polished finish overall. A hint of warm paving stone lurks in the background. Best from 2014 through 2026. (3/2013)'

Photo from fellow Blogger Sam Gor.