Château Tertre Roteboeuf St Emilion Grand Cru 2011

Fine tannins, less opulence than you find in the warmer vintages, but still with inky depths and grilled herb richness to the blackberry, bilberry and cassis fruit. This was a very dry spring, unusually so for Bordeaux, followed by a dry but cooler summer, and the focus is on Cabernet Franc with edges of coffee, cold ash, mint, all wrapped up with tannins polished by 12 years in bottle. The flavours remain vibrant, and this is just a deliciously nuanced bottle. 100% new oak. François Mitjavile owner at this distinctive estate.