A Journey Through Time: Les Grands Chais de France's Ultimate Château du Tertre Wine Tasting Experience

Featuring the Iconic 2000 Vintage

We were invited to the Wine Experience Days at Castle Woerden, which were arranged by Les Grands Chais de France (GCF) with support from Barbara Haverkamp of Buro On/Off. We had the honor to attend an exclusive lunch with rare Bordeaux wines during the event, which showcased over 600 wines from GCF's inventory. This provided an unforgettable chance to try multiple vintages of Château du Tertre.
The lunch began with a Tour de Crémants, in which we sampled a variety of crémants from all of France's crémant appellations. Niels van Overmeire, the maître-sommelier of Restaurant de Bokkedoorns**, joined the vertical tasting of Château du Tertre.

What is the GCF group?

Les Grands Chais de France, or GCF Group, is a French wine production and export corporation. They are France's largest wine grower and exporter, as well as one of the top five in the world. The company has over 50 wineries in France and has a long history in the sector, producing a wide range of wines from sparkling to red and white. They are dedicated to environmentally friendly winemaking and strive for responsible production to provide both superb wine and a healthy globe. The company exports to over 80 countries and has a solid reputation for trustworthy, high-quality wine production.

Tasting the wines of GCF portfolio

It was difficult to figure out where to begin with over 600 wines to sample. The tables were divided into French regions and a few international ones. Why did I start with the Loire table? Because no one was there, I was able to enjoy the wines in peace.

The Chateau de Fesles La Chapelle 2019 is a delightful Anjou white wine made entirely of Chenin Blanc. It has a beautiful acidity, a big body and creamy texture, and a nice blend of citrus and vanilla flavors. Due to the difficult soil, the vines must battle to get their roots deep into the ground.

I had three favorites at the Bourgogne table. The nose of the Moillard Grivot Meursalt 2019 was appealing, rich of oak and vanilla with a hint of smokiness. It was delicate, rich, creamy, and woody on the palate, with traces of vanilla, peach, and apple flavors, and mellow acidity. 

I also enjoyed the Moillard Grivot Chassagne-Montrachet 2020, a very strong and incredibly fresh white wine with superb acidity. The Bourgogne table was topped off with a big Pinot Noir from Moillard Grivot, the 2017 Clos de Vougeot grand cru. With aromas of cherries, raspberries, and rich red and black fruit. On the palate, it had soft red fruit, a little vanilla, and you could tell it was young. If you have the patience, you may easily enjoy it in 10-20 years.

I enjoyed a 2015 Vin Jaune (Yellow wine) from Domaine Savagny from Jura. It was energetic and refreshing, without being too dry. It has a dry Sherry-like oxidative character to it. Great acidity and honey and green apple tastes. I'd like to try more wines in this style!

Tour de Crémants

After that, I tasted several crémants from various French crémant appellations. Crémant is a sparkling wine produced outside of France's Champagne area using the same traditional method as Champagne but with a second fermentation in the bottle. It is a collection of sparkling wines produced in nine distinct regions of France. When compared to Champagne, Crémant is less expensive yet still of high quality. Crémant production is likewise far smaller than Champagne's, with only 1.2 million bottles produced annually compared to 320 million bottles of Champagne.

The Crémants d'Alsace, Dopff, and Irion Prestige Brut, a classic crémant from a classic area, were my favorites. It featured a soft brioche aroma, fine mousse, citrus, apple, and butter brioche flavors on the palate, a medium finish, and nice acidity.

Arthur Metz's Crémant d'Alsace, Grande Terroir Schiste Schieferberg, was fairly exceptional. It's 60% Riesling, a grape that isn't usually used in crémants because it can produce superior still white wines. The schist soils are deep layers of stone that hold a lot of water. With green apple, red apple, peach, brioche, and a rich palate of citrus, apple, smokey butter brioche, and great present acidity with a lengthy finish, this crémant was a true pleasure.

I really liked the Crémants du Jura from Marcel Cabalier Esprit Brut Blanc, which had a strong mousse and a fragrance of deep yeast and apple. Green apple and nectarines dominated the palate, with lively acidity.

Introduction to Château du Tertre

Then followed a special lunch with a vertical tasting of Château du Tertre. We sampled the Terte blanc 2021, Hauts du Terte 2019, and, of course, the chateau's pride, the Grand Cru Classé from 2019, 2017, 2015, 2006, and 2000, accompanied by Niels van Overmeire!

Château du Tertre is a world-renowned wine estate located in the heart of the prominent Bordeaux subregion of Margaux. Château du Tertre is noted for making outstanding red wines, primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot grapes. These wines have become known for their elegance, complexity, and ability to age gracefully.

The History and Significance of Château du Tertre Wines

Château du Tertre has a long history that dates back to the 12th century. Several famous families have owned and managed the estate over the ages, which is located on one of the highest points in the Margaux appellation. The estate earned international fame in the late 1800s when its wines were accorded the prized Fifth Growth rank in the 1855 Classification of Bordeaux Wines.
Château du Tertre has always been committed to creating high-quality wines with traditional methods and a strong appreciation for the region. The estate's 80 hectares of grapes are located on gravelly soils that give excellent drainage and add to the particular qualities of the wines.

Significant renovations and investments have occurred at Château du Tertre in recent years, including the development of a cutting-edge winery and the introduction of sustainable viticulture practices. These efforts have increased Château du Tertre wines' reputation, making them highly sought-after by collectors and wine connoisseurs alike.

A Brief Overview of the Bordeaux Wine Region

The Bordeaux wine region in southwestern France is one of the world's most known and prestigious wine-producing regions. It is noted for producing a wide variety of high-quality wines, including reds, whites, and dessert wines, and it is home to nearly 7,000 wine estates and more than 120,000 hectares of vineyards.

Each subregion has its own particular terroir and wine types. The Margaux appellation, where Château du Tertre is located, is well known for producing superb red wines.

The terroir of Margaux is characterized by a mix of gravel, clay, and limestone soils, which contribute to the region's distinct flavors and aromas. The coastal climate of the region, with its warm summers and mild winters, encourages excellent grape ripening and the development of complex flavors in the wines.

Tasting Notes and Reviews for Château du Tertre 2015

During this tasting, my favorites were the 2015 and the 2000 vintages. The Château du Tertre 2015 shows the estate's dedication to creating high-quality wines. The wine has a deep, vivid crimson color and an attractive fragrance of black fruits like blackberries and blackcurrants, with delicate spice and cedar notes. Because of its appealing nose, it was difficult not to take a sip right away. It's full-bodied and well-structured on the palate, with fine tannins and a balanced mix of fruit, acidity, and oak. The finish is long and persistent, lingering on the wine's richness and depth.

Château du Tertre 2000: Tasting Notes and Reviews

The Château du Tertre 2000 is a well-known wine that has earned its place among Bordeaux's finest vintages. It's a visual, odor, and taste treat. The wine has a deep, dark purple color and an appealing aroma of lovely black fruits like black cherries and plums, with notes of tobacco, leather, and truffle. The wine is powerful and full-bodied on the palate, with a rich core of fruit, silky tannins, and surprising complexity that emerges with each sip. The finish is long, lingering, and elegant.

This exceptional wine is a blend consisting of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot that has been matured in French oak barrels for 18 months. The 2000 vintage is largely regarded as one of the greatest in Bordeaux history, and Château du Tertre's offering from that year is no exception. During the growth season, ideal weather conditions, including warm, sunny days and cool nights, allowed for optimal grape ripening and the development of rich tastes and aromas.

The Château du Tertre Margaux 2000 is a magnificent example of the outstanding quality that may be produced in such an exceptional vintage. It shows the estate's commitment to making wines that are not only terroir-driven but also capable of maturing beautifully for decades to come.

Château du Tertre 2000: Tasting Notes and Reviews

The Château du Tertre 2000 is a well-known wine that has earned its place among Bordeaux's finest vintages. It's a visual, odor, and taste treat. The wine has a deep, dark purple color and an appealing aroma of lovely black fruits like black cherries and plums, with notes of tobacco, leather, and truffle. The wine is powerful and full-bodied on the palate, with a rich core of fruit, silky tannins, and surprising complexity that emerges with each sip. The finish is long, lingering, and elegant.

This exceptional wine is a blend consisting of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot that has been matured in French oak barrels for 18 months. The 2000 vintage is largely regarded as one of the greatest in Bordeaux history, and Château du Tertre's offering from that year is no exception. During the growth season, ideal weather conditions, including warm, sunny days and cool nights, allowed for optimal grape ripening and the development of rich tastes and aromas.

The Château du Tertre Margaux 2000 is a magnificent example of the outstanding quality that may be produced in such an exceptional vintage. It shows the estate's commitment to making wines that are not only terroir-driven but also capable of maturing beautifully for decades to come.

Conclusion: The Unforgettable Château du Tertre Wine Journey

Finally, a journey through the wines of Château du Tertre is a journey through time, history, and excellence. From the estate's rich history and commitment to quality to the unique terroir of the Margaux appellation, Château du Tertre wines are a testament to the best of Bordeaux winemaking. Additionally, the overview of Crémant was enjoyable, and the quick view of the portfolio of GCF was outstanding. I'm excited to try more of it!

Thanks again for inviting us Les Grands Chais de France and Barbara Haverkamp of Buro On/Off
Cheers to an unforgettable wine journey!

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