Château Tertre Roteboeuf 1993, Saint Émilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux

Château Tertre Roteboeuf 1993, Saint Émilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux

Perched on a quiet slope near the village of Saint-Laurent-des-Combes in Saint-Émilion, Château Tertre Rotebœuf is one of Bordeaux’s most fascinating and unconventional estates. Though its origins date back centuries, it was only after François Mitjavile took over the property in 1978 that it transformed into a cult icon. Today, Tertre Rotebœuf is celebrated for its deeply expressive, sensual wines and the maverick philosophy that drives their creation.

Unlike many of his Right Bank peers, Mitjavile has always followed his own path, eschewing fashion and formulas. A thinker, poet, and farmer in equal measure, he crafts wines that speak of emotion and energy as much as terroir. The vineyard—a mere 5.7 hectares—is ideally situated on a south-facing amphitheatre of clay-limestone soils that help produce richly ripened fruit with striking balance. The average vine age exceeds 40 years, with Merlot dominating the blend (around 80%) and the rest Cabernet Franc. Yields are kept extremely low, and no detail is overlooked in the pursuit of harmony.

What sets Tertre Rotebœuf apart isn’t just its terroir, but its radical approach to winemaking. Mitjavile insists on harvesting at perfect physiological ripeness—sometimes much later than neighboring châteaux—producing wines with voluptuous textures, exotic aromatics, and a near-Burgundian finesse. Fermentations are natural, temperatures are carefully controlled, and aging takes place in 100% new oak for up to 24 months. Yet, despite the new barrels, the wines never feel overpowered—they maintain a luminous purity that is unmistakable.

The wines of Tertre Rotebœuf are both intellectual and hedonistic. Aromas of ripe blackberries, violets, espresso, and spices leap from the glass, while the palate offers layers of velvet-like fruit, precise tannins, and a long, haunting finish. These are wines built for aging, evolving for decades while gaining in nuance and elegance.

Critics have consistently lavished praise on the estate. Vintage after vintage, Tertre Rotebœuf receives top scores from publications like The Wine Advocate, Vinous, and Decanter. Yet the château retains a quiet, under-the-radar quality, partly because of its small production and fiercely loyal following. It is a wine that collectors treasure—not for prestige, but for the deeply personal experience it offers.

François Mitjavile also manages two other revered estates—Roc de Cambes in the Côtes de Bourg and Domaine de l’Aurage in Castillon—which share the same soulful philosophy. But Tertre Rotebœuf remains the jewel in his crown: a wine born from intuition, patience, and profound respect for nature.

In a region known for tradition and structure, Château Tertre Rotebœuf stands as a beacon of individuality and passion. It is not merely a Saint-Émilion—it is an artistic statement, a living testament to the power of doing things differently. For those seeking wines with depth, emotion, and authenticity, Tertre Rotebœuf offers an experience like no other.