Chateau du Tertre 2013

While some esteemed tasters consider this wine controversial, I found its Margaux-style Cabernet Franc character distinctive. It is approachable and enjoyable, offering excellent value.

James Suckling awarded this wine 91 points, describing the 2013 vintage as excellent. He notes berry flavours with hints of hazelnut and chocolate, a medium body, fine tannins, and a savoury finish. The warmer soils in Tertre benefited the wine during the cool 2013 season.

Neal Martin, writing for Robert Parker in 2014 and 2016, offered a more critical perspective. He described the du Tertre 2013 as having a focused bouquet of red berries and rose petals, though lacking intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy tannins, but lacks finesse and delineation, despite satisfactory length. In 2016, he rated it 85 points, noting reduced fruit, increased tertiary elements, and greater abrasiveness.

Robert Parker describes this 2013 as a promising wine, with aromas of liquorice, black currant, earth, and white chocolate. It has a medium body, sweet, clear blackcurrant flavours, a strong palate, and a long finish. He recommends drinking it over the next ten years or more, and it was awarded a score of 89.